Tipton lost both games last weekend, first going down by six wickets to neighbours Sidbury on Saturday and then losing by four wickets the following day to Geriatrics at County Hall, Exeter.

In the Saturday game Tipton started badly at Sidbury losing three wickets with just nine runs on the bard.

A fine 52-run partnership between Adam Gibbins (24) and Jem Gillham (13) restored parity before Martin Miller claimed both wickets and the all too familiar tumble of wickets followed with five going down for the addition of just 11 runs!

Kevin McMeeking scored 29 to help Tipton post what looked a below-par total of 104. Five Tipton players managed ducks in the damp conditions. Miller with 3-13 and Barney Stone 2-15 were the pick of the Sidbury bowlers.

With such a small total to defend, Tipton needed a thunderstorm or to take early wickets which they did. In sunshine, Channon removed Williams and David O’Higgins accounted for Bennett and Reed, leaving Sidbury struggling on 3-3. However, a fine innings of 60 not out by Simon Rowe and knocks of 24 from Barney Stone 24 and an unbeaten 18 by ‘Windy’ Miller 18 took Sidbury to victory with eight overs to spare. O’Higgins, with figures of 3-15, bowled well.

On Sunday it was an old fashioned timed game with little between the ages of the veteran players from both sides. Tipton posted 177-8 thanks mainly to contributions to 56 from Phil Tolley and Jem Gillham 30. Mike Giles took three wickets, but Tipton contributed to their own downfall with three run-outs!

Geriatrics batted well reaching 45 before David Birch dismissed Jones for 29, then Phil Wright had Dyer and King caught by Dave Jessop andChris Mason respectively. When O’Higgins took two wickets Geriatrics were 100-5 with 20 overs left, but Tipton could only take one further wicket and the home side won with nine balls to spare.