Tipton made the journey to Torbay with temperatures in the mid 80’s to play Marldon when it may have made more sense to go to the beach, writes Phil Wright.

Sidmouth Herald: Tipton batsman Dave Alford who top scored with 42 in the defeat at Marldon.Tipton batsman Dave Alford who top scored with 42 in the defeat at Marldon. (Image: Archant)

Captain Dave Alford won the toss and confused his players by allowing the home side to bat first and condemning his fielders to a hot afternoon in the sun.

Tipton did take an early wicket when David O’Higgins trapped Smith leg before wicket, but then Marldon did make hay when the sun shone, piling on 113 for the next wicket.

Glanfield fell one short of his 50 when bowled by Charlie O’Higgins, but the opener Sam Rowsell went on to get his maiden century, scoring 105.

Tipton did manage to claim a few wickets with Charlie O’Higgins proving to be the most successful with three of them, returning figures of 3-30 while the return from Kevin McMeeking was 2-26 as the home side closed on an imposing 209-6.

Tipton started badly as Tom Birch ran himself out with the score on 12, but a partnership of 67 between Charlie O’Higgins and David Thayre helped matters before a mini collapse that saw three wickets for the addition of just two further runs.

O’Higgins made 32 while Thayre chipped in with 36 and there was also another good partnership of 76 between Dave Alford and Kevin McMeeking that did threaten to turn the tide in Tipton’s favour.

However, both Alford and McMeeking fell in quick succession, Alford having scored 42 and McMeeking having hit 31 and, thereafter, wickets tumbled to leave Tip[ton all out for 178 and Maldon the victors by a margin of 31 runs.