The tiny ground at Stockland has long been a happy hunting ground for Tipton batsmen and so it continued on Sunday.

Batting first they struggled to make headway against accurate bowling, especially James Mitcham who conceded just four runs from his six overs.

Tipton had limped to 64-1 off the first 20 overs, losing Michael Dawson for 28. Just as they were upping the rate, Adam Gibbins fell for 27, Dave Jessop for 47 and Chris Tubbs without scoring!

This brought Joe Birch to the middle to join Phil Tolley and the pair promptly set about the home bowling – and in some style – adding 156 in the next 11 overs!

Birch set a new club best for the fastest century as he slammed nine four’s and ten sixes to bring up his ton from just 38 deliveries!

One of his sixes knocked a pigeon out of a tree surrounding the ground.

Tolley faced 39 balls for his knock of 54 and the Tipton innings closed on 280-5.

-man Yarcombe and Stockland were soon in trouble with David Birch taking two quick wickets and Jack Roberts (2-20) bagged a brace in as many balls.

Birch claimed another courtesy of a good catch by Jessop to close his spell with figures of 3-18.

David O’Higgins and Phil Wright got in on the act of wicket taking aided by a Tolley catch and Dawson stumping respectively.

Only an innings of 82 by last man Rex Helston gave the reply respectability before the home effort ended with the final wicket falling on 178.

Fittingly it was centurion Birch who had the last word as it was he who ran out the home team’s final batsman.