Tour 2000 Tipton St. John Saturday 1st July
Tipton St. John 150-3 in 40 overs. B.Blackbeard 57no. K.Evans 2-14. M.Knapp 1-6.
Oldbury 131 all out in 36th over. J.Russell 81. G.Dyke 15.
Oldbury lost by 19 runs.
Heads were heavy and eyes were red after a night of clubbing in Torquay, but it didn't show as Bob Gazard and Mike Knapp tied down Tipton, Mike ending his spell of eight overs with 1-6. Tidy fielding gave the bowlers good support. Then Gerry Dyke rolled back the years and continued to frustrate Tipton with impressive swing bowling that had a few heads spinning again. First wickets of the year for Kevin Evans brought two breakthroughs, but Oldbury's attack was containing rather than incisive. A score of 150 looked a simple target, but then this was Oldbury.
The reply saw Pete Ford flashing at his first and only delivery of the tour, soon to be followed by his opening partner, Nigel Hopkins also for 0. Jim Russell sought to steady the flow of wickets but only the experience and guts of Glynn Poole and Gerry Dyke provided any real support. This was a sorry tail of the night before. Russell seemed to be leading Oldbury to an improbable win, only to fall at 81. Then some big hitting by Gerry Dyke provided some hope but Oldbury were to fall short of a first tour win by 19 runs.
Further disappointment struck in the pub afterwards with Nigel Hopkins still not buying his century jugs from the previous week. Then it was back to Torquay and Route 66 to drown our sorrows.
And if you read this, a very big thank you to our hosts. Great tea and sarnies in the pub.