Tipton suffered two defeats in high scoring matches at the weekend, writes David Burch.

On a small ground at Chulmleigh, Tipton were asked to bat first and knew a big score would be needed to set a challenging target.

Phil Tolley found scoring difficult off accurate opening bowling, with just three runs coming off his first 30 balls faced!

At the other end Dave Dawson profited from three leg side boundaries before being caught at mid-on for 13. Steve Walker hit a boundary off his first ball, but then perished the same way. Chris Tubbs joined Tolley who started to score more freely and the pair put on 49 before Tubbs was caught. Jim Bugler blazed a quick 11 when a bigger innings was needed, so it was left to Jem Gillham to support Tolley in a 63-run partnership.

Tolley was bowled by a full toss for 89, his 100th half century for the club. He was followed by Rodgers for a duck. The later batsmen scrambled a further 30 runs, with Paul Williamson adding 13 in 5 balls, leaving Chulmleigh 190 runs to win.

Bugler and Williamson bowled tightly and Chulmleigh had only conceded nine runs off the first six overs. Their downfall was to dismiss Yarnley as it brought ‘Springbok’ Sheehan to the crease and he soon took control and found the adjoining fields with alarming regularity. A 73-run partnership with Campling in just 10 overs sealed Tipton’s fate as Sheehan reached 104 before Bugler took a good catch to dismiss him. Campling reached 43 not out as Chulmleigh passed Tipton’s score with five overs to spare.

On Sunday at Seaton, the home side batted first and they started brightly, only for David O’Higgins to peg them back with a fine spell of 4-20 off eight overs, including his 700th wicket for the club. This was helped by two fine catches by Adam Gibbins. At 20 overs, things looked promising for Tipton, but an onslaught by J Berry with who scored 83 in partnership with S Riley (51) changed the game. A smart catch on the boundary by Alex Tubbs off Pickering dismissed Berry. Seaton closed on 219-9.

Tipton’s reply was held together by Phil Tolley who went on to score 129 not out, but no other player scored more than 12. At least Tipton reached 200-6 at the close, losing by 19 runs.

The annual tour to Cornwall beckons next week so we are hoping for better weather than we have had in recent years.