A ‘game of two halves’ is a term often used to describe different fortunes in a football match, but the Tipton St John versus Bridford cricket contest was definitely ‘a game of four quarters’ as visitors secured a narrow victory, writes Phil Wright.

Bridford batsmen dominated the first 27 overs with only Mark Channon able to control the scoring with an excellent eight overs for just 12 runs. Batsmen Tom Gard with Jon Hole scored freely off the other bowlers used.

They reached 87 in 20 overs and it was not until Phil Wright bowled Gard for 57 with the score on 105 did Tipton have any success.

David Thayre bowled Tucker for five and it he then took a great catch at deep mid-on boundary off Wright for 81.

It was then that the game swung in Tipton’s favour as they dismissed the remaining Bridford batsmen for 15 runs as next ball Wright removed Staniforth LBW and the team hat-trick was completed when Dave Alford took a wicket with his first ball, Thayre again taking a catch.

Alex Tubbs with two wickets and Alford with a further three mopped up the tail reducing Bridford from 151-2 to 166 all out.

Alford finished with 4-10 and Tubbs 2-3 with Thayre adding a third catch to cap a fine fielding display.

Tipton made a steady reply reaching 126 for the loss of Keith Collins (18) Dave Alford (38) and a good innings from Al Matthews who was run out for 18 tempted by a run off a dropped catch.

Just when it looked like a Tipton victory was in sight they steadily lost wickets. Alex Tubbs chipped a ball back to bowler Haylock for seven and Dave Jessop’s fine knock was ended when he edged to keeper Staniforth off Dillon for 38. Thayre could not repeat last week’s heroics and was bowled by Dillon for eight.

The Tipton tail was not good enough to gather the few runs needed as they lost their last five wickets for 12 runs leaving Bridford victors winners by eight runs in an exciting see-saw match.