Tipton St John made the short trip down the Otter to take on Newton Poppleford on Sunday and the home side ended the day winners by nine wickets with a full 20 overs to spare.

Batting first, Tipton opened with Adam Gibbins and Steve Walker. Gibbins quickly reached 10 but then was bowled by George House. David Thayre did not learn from watching Luke Raistrick guesting for Tipton last week and was bowled 3rd ball.

A great partnership between Walker and Chris Tubbs seemed to put Tipton’s recent poor performances at their neighbour’s ground behind them. Walker reached his half century in 46 balls and Tubbs gave him valuable support. However, when the total reached 93 the rot set in. Walker having reached 60, skied a delivery from Ben Stone which was gratefully snaffled by keeper Ken Clay.

Tipton have been known for their impressive ‘tumbles’ over the years, but this one surely beat them all. They lost their last 8 wickets for just 11 runs capitulating to 104 all out. Six batsmen failed to trouble scorer Bruce Marshall!

Star bowler for Newton Poppleford was Ed Thomas who bowled 4.4 overs without conceding a run, bagging 4 wickets in the process. He was well supported by Ben Stone with 3-25.

After an early tea, Newton Poppleford confidently knocked off the runs required. The speed of Joe Birch’s bowling seemed to cause keeper Dicky Dawson more pain than he inflicted on openers Isaac Tomas and Tony Cocks. Although Tipton’s fielders did well to keep the score down, the total had reached 81 before they had their only success with Joe Birch taking a great running catch to dismiss Thomas for 35 off the bowling of Louis Bowen.

The low cloud containing drizzle lurking on top of Mutters Moor looked to be Tipton’s only hope, but this failed to come down the hill. Cocks reached his half century and was undefeated on 58 when the target was reached leaving Newton Poppleford comfortable winners.