Tipton St John’s poor run of results continued on Sunday when they lost their 10th consecutive match, this time against visitors Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough, writes Phil Wright.

Brothers Dan and Kieran Ellard put on a partnership of 97 before Mark Channon bowled Kieran for 58.

Veteran David O’Higgins then came onto bowl and reached two milestones, the first unwanted, when he conceded his 15,000th run in his 21-year Tipton career!

He had, by then taken the wicket of Robinson, bowled by a well flighted ball that pitched just in front of the stumps! Next he removed opener Dan Ellard thanks to a good catch by Alex Tubbs.

Channon grabbed his second wicket with Dickie Dawson claiming a catch behind the wicket before O’Higgins stole the show with two more wickets and, in doing so, reached 800 wickets for the club.

Tim Oakley held a great catch on the boundary to remove Trevorrow before the milestone wicket was taken thanks to a leg before decision in his favour.

O’Higgins took 4-35, but this could not prevent the visitors posting a challenging total of 184-8 with Al Tubbs and Phil Wright claiming a late wicket each.

Tipton lost early wickets with Kevin McMeeking, Tim Oakley and Al Tubbs all deserting opener Phil Tolley with only 29 runs on the board. Good partnerships with Chris Tubbs and Dickie Dawson helped the recovery but when Dawson was bowled for 18 with just six overs left, Tipton were unable to score at the required rate.

Tolley reached his 44th Tipton century, but was caught behind in the final over for 107. Tipton closed on 164-7, losing by 20 runs.