APPROACHING the halfway point of the season with promotion still in their sights, Tillingham’s first team made the short trip to Purleigh for a T Rippon League division three fixture.

Asked to bat in seamer-friendly conditions, Tillingham initially made slow progress as skipper Dave Cummins (19) and Tom Poole (11) struggled to impose themselves against the home attack.

In-form Andy Mee fared no better, struggling to 14 before being castled by Cann, but as the weather worsened, prospects improved for Tillingham when Chris Sutherby (84 not out) strode to the middle.

Having played for Tillingham as a young man, Sutherby returned to his hometown club this season after more than a decade in Rankins’ colours and his forthright strokeplay has been a welcome addition to the ranks.

Driving forcefully, and assisted by the returning Phil Hurst (37), Sutherby injected some much-needed urgency into the Tillingham innings, enabling them to post a creditable 222-5 from their allotted 45 overs.

Unfortunately for Tillingham, a tea-time downpour left conditions unplayable and the game was abandoned without Purleigh being able to begin the chase, keeping Cummins’ men in third place but still well placed to push for promotion in the second half of the season.