Tipton embarked on their annual tour to Cornwall last weekend, writes Phil Wright.

On Friday evening they beat Sea View Old Boys from Falmouth in a tight match by just six runs.

On Saturday they scored 198-7 against Nancledra with Dave Jessop, Alec Pace and Joe Birch all scoring half centuries. Wickets from Birch with 3-7 and two wickets apiece from Jim Bugler and Jem Gillham, ensured the home team were dismissed for 123. The game was notable for the 600th appearance by David O’Higgins (who took his 790th Tipton wicket) and 100th game for Justin Quick.

A sterner test was in store on Sunday in Redruth when they took on Mount Ambrose. Batting first, Tipton struggled to put together any partnerships of note, losing wickets regularly. Only a patient innings from Paul Williamson with 44 ensured they reached 156.

This did not seem enough when the hosts reached 44 in the sixth over, but three qquick wickets pegged them back, Williamson clean bowling two batsmen and Mark Channon claiming the third thanks to a Joe Birch catch. Opener A Bath was still looking a threat, but a growing partnership was ended when Wright caught Johnson off Channon. Tipton saw daylight when wickets continued to fall, and the all-important Bath was trapped leg before by Joe Birch for 52.

Phil Wright ended the game by bowling Beard to finish with figures of 2-19 from seven overs. However, it was Joe Birch who had inflicted most damage with 3-14 off just four overs, with Williamson 2-12 in support. Mount Ambrose were bowled out for 105 giving Tipton a win by 51 runs and ending a successful tour.