Gunnislake headed west on Saturday, to the iconic china clay waste tips and the village of Foxhole nestling at their base. Four hours later the team returned with 20 points after a comfortable win. It was another hot sunny day as tourists set off for the beach, but a few others indulged in the eccentric sport of cricket. Whichever the destination, manufacturers of sunscreen continue to do a roaring trade and ice cream sales were also at record levels.
Foxhole won the toss and chose to bat, in part because of a few late arrivals. Gunnislake, opening the bowling with Lee Roberts and Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, set off like a train with no time to lose. Three wickets were down before double figures had been reached. Would the late batsmen turn up in time? Fortunately Foxhole had one resolute man, captain Sean Hicks, who scored freely as fours whizzed across the parched outfield. Things were less good at the other end and wickets continued to tumble, with Thirupuvanarajah claiming four and Roberts wading in with three: at the first drinks break Foxhole were in trouble at 50 for 7. A bowling change saw the introduction of Josh Crow, who quickly claimed the wicket of Hicks, clean bowled. After a recount his score turned out to be 46, despite having been applauded for reaching his half century: was that a distraction that did for him? Soon after the Foxhole inning closed the total having scraped to 96 using 21.1 of the allotted 40 overs.
The match resumed without a break with Joe Organ and Stephen Lees opening for Gunnislake. Facing them were that man Sean Hicks (left arm spin) and the experienced Richard James (medium paced seam). Runs came steadily, with aggression from Organ and a steadier pace from Lees. When Organ was bowled he was replaced by wicketkeeper Kevin Beare, promoted up the order for the day. Despite a few early play and misses Beare relished his responsibility, nurdling the ball around the ground as the target steadily came into view. At the other end Lees and then Dickerson departed, but the victory always seemed inevitable. Kevin Beare, now enjoying himself, opened up with a particularly good on drive for four imprinted in the memory. At the other end nephew Jake Beare kept him company until the total was reached, as Gunnislake ran out winners by six wickets. Kevin Beare finished top scorer on 33 not out.
It was not the highest quality match, and a traditional cricket tea was the highlight for some. Foxhole suffered from a number of player absences, but another win leaves Gunnislake in a very safe mid table position. It is no time for complacency though, as the season is not yet half way through.
Foxhole 96 all out (S Hicks 46; D Thirupuvanarajah 4-43, L Roberts 3-31). Gunnislake 100-4 (K Beare 33no, S Lees 24; S Hicks 2-37). Gunnislake (20 points) beat Foxhole (4 points) by six wickets.
