A touring party of 25 Tipton players and supporters enjoyed their annual Cornwall tour last weekend, writes Phil Wright.
Good weather and three games played against friendly opposition, capped off with three fine wins, ensured a good time was had by all.
On Friday night the opposition was Sea View Old Boys from Falmouth. Dave Alford hit the winning runs in the last over after being set a target of 132. Phil Tolley (30) and Alastair Mills (33) started the innings well and Neil Winter followed up his earlier bowling of 3-6 with 24 runs.
On Sunday, we travelled down to Nancledra amongst rolling hills and old mine engine ruins. Batting first, Tipton set a total of 212 with Joe Birch (55) and David Thayre (52) doing well. Nick ‘Biggles’ Wright made his flight down worthwhile, scoring an unbeaten 24.
Although some of the home batsmen put up a good fight, they were always behind the asking rate. David Birch and Mark Channon bowled tidily at the start with a wicket each, David O’Higgins was more exorbitant spending 48 runs for his two wickets. Joe Birch snuffed out the tail, taking 3-5, ensuring an early arrival at The Engine Inn as Nancledra were dismissed for 165.
Sunday’s opponents, Redruth-based Mount Ambrose, always provide a sterner test and it so proved. Even though their team contained several young, but talented players, a sprinkling of league players made it a close contest.
Again, Tipton batted first and soon lost Alec Pace, but Phil Tolley and David Thayre with a partnership of 132 helped Tipton to a total of 260. Thayre was eventually for 60, but Tolley went on to retire on 100.
Tipton made early inroads into the Mt Ambrose batting, reducing them to 26-5, Dave Alford (3-17) and David Birch (2-27) doing the damage. However, this only brought together two powerful batsmen who ply their trade in the Cornwall league, Simon Johnson and Andy Bath. In the 20 overs they were together, they plundered 174 runs.
Phil Wright took the brunt of the early onslaught, conceding 41 in four overs, leaving Tom and Joe Birch to share the pain. After Johnson reached his century he sportingly retired, as had Tolley earlier, so when Joe Birch bowled Bath shortly after for 81 the match shifted back in Tipton’s favour.
Tipton were able to close out their innings on 229-8, ending a successful tour.
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