Tipton made the lengthy journey to mid-Devon to take on Chulmleigh, writes Phil Wright.

It was a lovely sunny day in a glorious location, ideal for a game of cricket, just a pity that Tipton did not play very much!

The opening sparring went Tipton’s way with the batsmen Darch and Davis being subdued by the bowling of Birch and Dave Thayre.

Aided by some good fielding there was only nine on the board off the first four overs and, with the total on 28, Thayre induced a return catch to dismiss Davis for 14.

Little did Tipton know that was probably as good as it would get for them!

Sam Clarke entered the match and put it beyond Tipton. He shared a second wicket partnership of 96 with Darch who scored 64 before being bowled by David O’Higgins.

Clark batted for 33 overs scoring 128 not out. He was aided by Pat Dixon (32 not out) who also ensured Tipton fielders were regularly searching the long grass around the ground and retrieving the ball from the adjoining cow field.

Chulmleigh declared just before tea on 251-3 setting Tipton an improbable task.

Tipton had never scored more than 240 to win a game, but at least in an old fashioned timed game, they only had to bat for a little over two hours to claim a draw.

Although Phil Tolley was able to keep out the good Chulmleigh bowling attack, apart from extras with 30, only David Thayre, with 13, was able to give him any support with six batsmen failing to score, including the final five as the innings collapsed to 94 all out leaving Tolley to ‘carry his bat’ for a patient unbeaten 43.

Only Brian Blackbeard in 1997 and 2004 had done this before for Tipton.