Tipton’s annual tour to Cornwall was disrupted by heavy rain on Sunday at the cost of the long standing fixture at Mount Ambrose, but they were able to register a solid victory at Nancledra on Saturday, writes David Birch.

Skipper David Birch won the toss, chose to bat and invited Jem Gillham and Justin Quick to get the innings under way. The pair responded admirably with Gillham, in particular, taking advantage of anything loose to register 33, his highest score so far this season. With Quick finding the boundary regularly in his 28, Tipton looked set for a high total but, after Gillham departed on 56 and Quick on 73, the middle order was unable to press home the advantage, with only Dave Dawson (20) and Phil Tolley (26) making substantial contributions.

Wickets continued to fall regularly and, at 133-7, there was a real risk of an under par total. However, tail-enders Birch, Mark Channon and Phil Wright contrived to add 41 between them to take the tourists to 174-9, less than they might have anticipated at the start of the innings, but enough to set their hosts a challenging target.

Nancledra began well, despite Channon’s early dismissal of Classey, courtesy of a juggling catch by Geoff Woodcock. Skipper Poole looked well set until he drove Birch into the safe hands of Wright at mid off to end his 42 run partnership with Mason. Tipton’s Cornish vice president Dave James, playing on this occasion for Nancledra, was looking confident on 23 until he was clean bowled by John Rodgers.

Wright’s dismissal of Barlow, courtesy of a smart stumping by Dawson, opened up the home side’s tail and he and Rodgers took full advantage with four and three wickets each. A second stumping for Dawson finally brought the innings to an end on 110, leaving Tipton winners by 64 runs and with their winning record against Nancledra intact.