The combination of slow, early season wickets, cold and damp weather and the dominance of bowlers, led by two of Tipton’s finest veterans, produced very similar matches and two battling home wins last weekend, writes David Birch.

The combination of slow, early season wickets, cold and damp weather and the dominance of bowlers, led by two of Tipton’s finest veterans, produced very similar matches and two battling home wins last weekend, writes David Birch.

First up against Erratics, skipper Matt Williamson invited them to bat first and was rewarded by the regular fall of wickets as Tipton’s bowlers tore through the visitors’ top order.

Mark Channon struck first when David Birch clung on to a stinging chance at short mid-off, but it was the peerless veteran Dave O’Higgins with 5-16 who wrecked the visitors’ hopes, supported by some excellent catching. Birch chipped in with two more and Williamson’s brilliant running, diving effort in the deep gave Phil Wright his victim. A 40-run stand for the last wicket took Erratics to the relative respectability of 105 all out and, in effect, made a game of it as their bowlers, maintaining a relentless line and length, made Tipton fight for every run.

As so often, it was the technique and temperament of Phil Tolley, whose 53 not only secured victory, but made him the highest ever scorer for the club. Newcomer Steve Walker gave Tolley excellent support in a stand of 62 for the third wicket and Tipton reached their target with six wickets left.

Sunday’s match against the Met Office produced some striking similarities but this time it was John Rodgers’ 5-26 which swung the game decisively Tipton’s way as the visitors slumped to 73 all out. Birch, Wright and O’Higgins claimed a wicket each and Adam Gibbins two as the Met Office tried unsuccessfully to hit their way out of trouble. Again the catching was good; Wright’s diving effort at point started the ball rolling, Tolley claimed two and Dave Dawson took a neat one behind the wicket.

So Tipton faced another low total but struggled far more to reach it, losing six wickets in the process. Only Dave Jessop, batting through the innings with a fine 52 not out, mastered the conditions and secured Tipton’s four wicket victory.

Following the retirement last season of our long-serving tea ladies, Maggie and Tan, we are now dependent on teas coming from a variety of providers. I am delighted to report that standards from previous years were admirably maintained thanks to the ladies from Bater’s Removals on Saturday and the Golden Lion on Sunday.