Tipton St John recorded an emphatic 143-run win over visiting Met Office, writes Phil Wright.

Sidmouth Herald: Tipton batsman David Thayre hits out during his innings against Met OfficeTipton batsman David Thayre hits out during his innings against Met Office (Image: Archant)

The visitors brought good weathe,r but only 10 players. Tipton batted first and soon lost Tom Birch, bowled for five.

However, Phil Tolley and David Thayre have been posting good partnerships this season and managed another century stand, this one only ending when Thayre was caught off the bowling of Aiden Green for 48.

David Jessop, returning from ‘retirement’, also showed good form, but his innings ended prematurely following a collision with the wicketkeeper, and he retired on 12!

Alex Tubbs than joined Tolley in a partnership of 75 before Tubbs was caught for 34.

Tolley completed his 48th Tipton century a week after reaching 15,000 runs for the club. He retired just before the end as Tipton set a challenging total of 231-3.

After a splendid tea supplied by match sponsors, Bater’s Removals, the Met Office’s innings choked at 6-2 before they made a brief recovery.

Once Aiden Green was brilliantly caught by Dave Alford off the bowling of David Birch for 34 (there were six David’s in Tipton’s team!) the visitor’s innings spluttered to 88 all out.

David Birch with 3-21 did the early damage before David O’Higgins took 3-31 with his tempting flighted deliveries that resulted in two stumpings by David Dawson. The three wickets for O’Higgins took him to 870 for Tipton and he is now just five wickets short of the all-time club record currently held by John Rodgers. Phil Wright was the other successful bowled with 2-15.