Tipton triumph at a sweltering Teign

‘Climate change’ enters the vocabulary of a Tipton St John match report for the first time as three wash-outs were replaced by possibly the hottest conditions the team has played under.
They travelled to Dunsford next to the River Teign and elected to bat in very hot conditions. Tipton soon lost opener David Thayre LBW for 4, but an 80-run partnership between Matt Brewster and Dave Jessop put them in control.
After Jessop was caught at cover for 33, Dave Alford continued the good work. Brewster was bowled for 42, which started a collapse as they lost debutant Mark Burnard and Al Matthews for ducks and Lev Konar for 3. Alford batted for over an hour for 20, aided by Jem Gillham’s 14 and Owen Smith undefeated on 10 as Tipton closed on 182-9.
David Birch started by bowling three maidens and included the wicket of opening batsman Thomas bowled for a duck. The home batsmen fought back and frequently found the boundaries. This included a 4 by Jonathan Parker where Bowler Phil Wright’s anguish was soothed in his next over as the scenario was repeated, but this but this time Jessop held on to a more difficult chance. Parker had scored 30 and in the same over was followed back to the pavilion by Bentley, bowled by Wright for 2.
Opener Perry was caught by Alford off the same bowler for 23 who then bowled Perry ending with figures of 4-32. Owen Smith (2-19) then struck twice in an over bowling both Ben (20) and Lucy Fitzpatrick. The tail wagged with Brian Fitzpatrick adding 36 until he was run out by a good return to the keeper by Dave Thayre.
Dunsford were all out for 143 leaving Tipton victors by 39 runs.