27 Apr 2008 - Foxwell's first 50 for the Club
The tea interval gave hosts, Kingswood, not only all the usual delights but the happy prospect of their visitors, Slimbridge, struggling to raise 255 runs at seven an over.
Slimbridge`s decision to insert Kingswood seemed justified as teenage seamer, Jonny Dakin, removed both openers in his first four overs. When Nigel Evans dismissed David Hatton for 14, Kingswood had work to do. Another 189 runs were scored before the next wicket.
Barry Morgan, unable to play much in 2007, returned with a vengeance, plundering 139 off 112 balls. His partner, 16 year old Ben Foxwell, though less prolific, was the more elegant. His 67, the club`s first 50 by a 16 year old, was an essay in beautifully timed cover, straight and midwicket drives, none easy on a pitch with low bounce. 14 of his shots, either twos or threes, stopped just short of the boundary in the lush grass. On the billiard table surfaces of late summer they would have gone the distance and a century would have beckoned. It may well before the year is out. Though the partnership ended just before tea, 254-5 seemed more than enough.
Chris Shearwood`s brilliant catch off Jay Simmons to dismiss David Stayte heightened the feeling. When Adam Chalkley, on four, chipped Steve Moran for an easy catch three Kingswood fielders declined acceptance, as if unsporting. Chalkley needed no further encouragement. With 12 fours and six sixes he raced to 114, dropped again around 60, in partnerships with Jamie Cullimore (33), Botger (14), Dave Tudor (36), and Nigel Evans (23*). Though Rich Wilding (2-55), Vince Taylor (1-27) and Barry Morgan (1-64) had some success, the 230 in 33 overs with Chalkley at the crease was more than enough. With him gone, veterans Evans and Bill Church (10*) had no difficulty in seeing Slimbridge to victory with an over and five wickets to spare. 511 runs in the afternoon was a feast almost as good as the tea but with a bit more cream for Slimbridge.