All the Twyford party had tours around Cape Town townships in the morning and were duly chastened and informed by the poverty, inadequacy of habitation and yet many positive rays of hope of the thousands, who live in these most basic of homes.
Langa sports stadium, surrounded by a high wall, offers several sports pitches, nets and a vital clubhouse centre. The ground slowly filled with many locals, who came to support their team. The atmosphere was lively and noisy; throw downs to the Twyford batsmen turned into fully fledged secondary games of cricket and Alison Fulton initiated a popular paper-plane airshow.
Once the mole-hills were temporarily flattened, the game began. Oscar won the toss again (I think we won all of them on this tour) and put in the township team. They seemed to vary dramatically in size (from bigger than Max to about the same size as Rory), in age (rumours of 19) and also possibly a girl in the team. Many shared bats and gloves passing them across as one batsman was out. Some did not have helmets. None of this diminished from their enthusiasm and commitment.
Batting technique may have been cavalier rather than "elbow high", but runs and wickets came in fits and starts. Rory was pick of the bowlers with three wickets, and Oscar picked up a couple. We got them out for 116, which was more than it looked at one stage and less than it might have been at another.
The Langa bowling was enthusiastic rather than disciplined, but their fielding was high energy, with many great catches and several direct hits on run-out attempts. Twyford made hard going of things, and it was Charlie and Gregor who had a great stand with zillions of singles, run out scares, overthrows and bold hitting, which swung the game our way; Charlie making a fine fast-pace 44.
Sadly, the late order could not quite match the run rate, and to hysterical jubilation Langa won by a dozen runs. Perhaps Twyford should have shown the discipline to win, but the team with the biggest heart on the day pulled it off - that is the joy of cricket.
Friday, 29 October 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Match 6 - Wetpups
This tour now has now had more frantic and exciting matches than the 2005 Ashes - official.
Another beautiful setting facing Table Mountain - but thankfully much warmer.
Wetpups were put in to bat and apart from an early wicket from Max, their batsmen looked very capable and built up a remorselessly increasing run rate. Eventually spinners, Rory and Felix, took a couple of wickets each, but the final total of 223 for 6 off the allotted 35 overs looked pretty handy; though the boundaries were very short.
Oscar hit a confident 20, until given out by a disgraceful lbw decision (only joking - sorry Mr Lewis), but wickets were falling and the run rate was looking challenging. Then Max detonated a one-man nuclear explosion with 56 runs off a handful of balls, including 5 enormous sixes. This gave the team the belief that a surprise might be possible. Simon then played the innings of his life.
The score reached 180 for nine, and Simon was joined by last man Angus, who also had to play the innings of his tour. Still about 40 to win and last pair at the wicket. Angus showed immense calm and control, as he defended at one end, while Simon attacked with great style at the other with nine sixes, some out of the ground. As the winning run was made, the other boys swept onto the pitch in wild delight. A quite unexpected and glorious win.
Another beautiful setting facing Table Mountain - but thankfully much warmer.
Wetpups were put in to bat and apart from an early wicket from Max, their batsmen looked very capable and built up a remorselessly increasing run rate. Eventually spinners, Rory and Felix, took a couple of wickets each, but the final total of 223 for 6 off the allotted 35 overs looked pretty handy; though the boundaries were very short.
Oscar hit a confident 20, until given out by a disgraceful lbw decision (only joking - sorry Mr Lewis), but wickets were falling and the run rate was looking challenging. Then Max detonated a one-man nuclear explosion with 56 runs off a handful of balls, including 5 enormous sixes. This gave the team the belief that a surprise might be possible. Simon then played the innings of his life.
The score reached 180 for nine, and Simon was joined by last man Angus, who also had to play the innings of his tour. Still about 40 to win and last pair at the wicket. Angus showed immense calm and control, as he defended at one end, while Simon attacked with great style at the other with nine sixes, some out of the ground. As the winning run was made, the other boys swept onto the pitch in wild delight. A quite unexpected and glorious win.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Match 5 - Reddam
Although the new school of Reddam nestles under Table Mountain, the area is infamous for its wind; in fact one parent told us that it was deemed uninhabitable for many years !! Conditions were very gusty and gradually became cloudier and colder - ideal for the Brits of course.
Oscar won the toss and elected to field. Like a phoenix after a quiet start to the tour, Ben produced a superb opening spell - taking three wickets from the top of the order, which put us in control, and we never really let their batsmen back in. Wickets were taken by Felix, Oscar, Christian and Rory 2; and it was left to Philip to sweep away the tail with two wickets in two balls. Plaudits to all the fielders, especially Max for three fine catches.
Reddam finished on 121 off 30 overs; this looked reasonably achievable, except the boundaries were deep, the grass long and the bowling quick and mostly a very good length.
Oscar faced the very first ball and, some 27 overs later, hit a glorious four to win the game. In the meantime he scored a well-paced 76 not out, solidly defending for long spells early on, and later playing many expansive shots all round the field. He was supported mainly by a brave innings from Felix (who had to face some fiery quick bowling) and a short bright cameo from Max.
This was a fine recovery from the Twyford team after their defeat the previous day. All the players contributed in some way, even those whose names do not feature in the runs and wicket taking lists.
Oscar won the toss and elected to field. Like a phoenix after a quiet start to the tour, Ben produced a superb opening spell - taking three wickets from the top of the order, which put us in control, and we never really let their batsmen back in. Wickets were taken by Felix, Oscar, Christian and Rory 2; and it was left to Philip to sweep away the tail with two wickets in two balls. Plaudits to all the fielders, especially Max for three fine catches.
Reddam finished on 121 off 30 overs; this looked reasonably achievable, except the boundaries were deep, the grass long and the bowling quick and mostly a very good length.
Oscar faced the very first ball and, some 27 overs later, hit a glorious four to win the game. In the meantime he scored a well-paced 76 not out, solidly defending for long spells early on, and later playing many expansive shots all round the field. He was supported mainly by a brave innings from Felix (who had to face some fiery quick bowling) and a short bright cameo from Max.
This was a fine recovery from the Twyford team after their defeat the previous day. All the players contributed in some way, even those whose names do not feature in the runs and wicket taking lists.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Sacked by SACS
Great sunny weather, wonderful ground close to soaring Table Mountain, friendly hosting parents, the wine flowed and a fine BBQ - oh yes, and also a game of cricket.
The SACS cricket team win all their school games and have 5 province players - and they had a BBQ of their own, I am afraid.
Yes, Max did take an early wicket, but then SACS put on around 150, before we made any further inroads in this 35 over game, with one batter scoring 95 and another over 60. Finally, some more wickets fell (Felix 2, Jimmy 2, and Oscar 1), before they reached a total of 249 for 7. Heads did not droop too much and there was some nifty fielding (Felix two catches, Oscar 1 catch) and Simon (wickie) managed a run out and a stumping.
The SACs batting had been very classy indeed with very few misjudgments; sadly their bowling and fielding was almost as good. We managed only 88 off 29 overs against some fiery pace bowlers and a fine spinner. Simon found form with some quality play to topscore with 21, and Henry and Gregor were resilient at the death with scores of 17 and 11. This was a fine achievement by Gregor, as he had been fined by Mr Lewis for falling in the pool with his clothes on, at his hosts house !!
The SACS cricket team win all their school games and have 5 province players - and they had a BBQ of their own, I am afraid.
Yes, Max did take an early wicket, but then SACS put on around 150, before we made any further inroads in this 35 over game, with one batter scoring 95 and another over 60. Finally, some more wickets fell (Felix 2, Jimmy 2, and Oscar 1), before they reached a total of 249 for 7. Heads did not droop too much and there was some nifty fielding (Felix two catches, Oscar 1 catch) and Simon (wickie) managed a run out and a stumping.
The SACs batting had been very classy indeed with very few misjudgments; sadly their bowling and fielding was almost as good. We managed only 88 off 29 overs against some fiery pace bowlers and a fine spinner. Simon found form with some quality play to topscore with 21, and Henry and Gregor were resilient at the death with scores of 17 and 11. This was a fine achievement by Gregor, as he had been fined by Mr Lewis for falling in the pool with his clothes on, at his hosts house !!
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Day 3 - Beaumont Primary School
The 9 o'clock start caused a certain anguish among the barmy army, after some well lubricated BBQs and dinners the previous night. The opposition on the other hand were looking rather sharp and lively, with elegant matching caps and some very alert brave fielding.
Twyford offered little resistance to accurate bowling and managed only 85 off 24 overs (out of possible 35). Max sparkled briefly with 27 in mighty blows; but seven catches out of ten wickets tells its own story of some poor technique. In response Beaumont batted with steady purpose to reach their win after only 17 overs and the loss of just one wicket.
The hosts were obviously still full of energy, so they proposed a quick 12/12 to fill the time until the BBQ lunch - big mistake !! Twyford batted big, Oscar 21 and Felix 26 the two leading scorers. A total of 92 proved too much for Beaumont, as wickets fell regularly and also the bowling was mean. Wicket takers were Felix 2, Oscar 2, Max 1 and Rory 1. Wilf, with one wicket, was especially accurate and economical .Some fair consolation.
Twyford offered little resistance to accurate bowling and managed only 85 off 24 overs (out of possible 35). Max sparkled briefly with 27 in mighty blows; but seven catches out of ten wickets tells its own story of some poor technique. In response Beaumont batted with steady purpose to reach their win after only 17 overs and the loss of just one wicket.
The hosts were obviously still full of energy, so they proposed a quick 12/12 to fill the time until the BBQ lunch - big mistake !! Twyford batted big, Oscar 21 and Felix 26 the two leading scorers. A total of 92 proved too much for Beaumont, as wickets fell regularly and also the bowling was mean. Wicket takers were Felix 2, Oscar 2, Max 1 and Rory 1. Wilf, with one wicket, was especially accurate and economical .Some fair consolation.
Second Game - second win !
Was there ever a more exciting game of cricket! It was the final over, Twyford fielders on their toes, the last Somerset West pair at the wicket, three to win. The ball was hit to mid off, the batsmen set off. Wilf swooped like a cheetah on the veldt, a throw like an assegai - a direct hit and Twyford are in euphoria.
Somerset were all out for 132, after more accurate and effective bowling from all the bowlers. It was Jimmy, who broke through early with two wickets in two balls. He took a third later, and the other wicket takers were Rory 2, Max 2, Wilf 1 and Oscar 1.
Earlier, after yet another rain affected morning, the batters had been steady but only Felix made a serious contribution with a well judged 26. Then Oscar came in at no 7 with ten overs (out of 30) remaining. He stepped up to the mark with a great sense of occasion, scoring 61 not out off 35 balls. This gave us a total of 134 for 8 wickets, which was just, just enough in the end. Breathless - two wins in two games hurrah!
Somerset were all out for 132, after more accurate and effective bowling from all the bowlers. It was Jimmy, who broke through early with two wickets in two balls. He took a third later, and the other wicket takers were Rory 2, Max 2, Wilf 1 and Oscar 1.
Earlier, after yet another rain affected morning, the batters had been steady but only Felix made a serious contribution with a well judged 26. Then Oscar came in at no 7 with ten overs (out of 30) remaining. He stepped up to the mark with a great sense of occasion, scoring 61 not out off 35 balls. This gave us a total of 134 for 8 wickets, which was just, just enough in the end. Breathless - two wins in two games hurrah!
Friday, 22 October 2010
Twyford Cross First Bridge
The day started badly, with unexpected steady rain; bad news for the local winegrowers (though 100km east, the farmers are literally praying for rain). Luckily, the weather dried in the afternoon and the team was ableto use the second team concrete strip.
Twyford donned the pads first, but a serious bout of post-flight jitters reduyced the score to 18-5. Then Oscar and Max put on an imperious century stand; Max making 49, with many mighty biffs, and Oscar topscoring with a chanceless 62 not out. 148 in the allotted 25 overs looked a fair score.
Then the Twyford attack came good, with all the bowlers accurate and economical. It was Gregor, who made the first vital inroads, taking two consecutive wickets in his superb second over. Thereafter wickets fell steadily, with most bowlers achieving success - Max 2, Rory 1, Simon 1, Christian 2 and Ben polishing off the tail with the last two. Bridge House School ended all out on just 52 in 20 overs.
Everyone played and contributed to the team win - well done Twyford.
Twyford donned the pads first, but a serious bout of post-flight jitters reduyced the score to 18-5. Then Oscar and Max put on an imperious century stand; Max making 49, with many mighty biffs, and Oscar topscoring with a chanceless 62 not out. 148 in the allotted 25 overs looked a fair score.
Then the Twyford attack came good, with all the bowlers accurate and economical. It was Gregor, who made the first vital inroads, taking two consecutive wickets in his superb second over. Thereafter wickets fell steadily, with most bowlers achieving success - Max 2, Rory 1, Simon 1, Christian 2 and Ben polishing off the tail with the last two. Bridge House School ended all out on just 52 in 20 overs.
Everyone played and contributed to the team win - well done Twyford.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Bridge House School
The troops all arrived on schedule; Bridge House lies a few km outside Franschhoek, in a green valley surrounded by distant high mountains. Immaculate looking cricket pitches.
Friendly welcome from the local Sports master, but the school was playing two cricket matches as we all arrived - just to put the pressure on! All the boys went off paired to their local luxury hotels. Though Max and Christian were seen cruising the shops later that afternoon !
Friendly welcome from the local Sports master, but the school was playing two cricket matches as we all arrived - just to put the pressure on! All the boys went off paired to their local luxury hotels. Though Max and Christian were seen cruising the shops later that afternoon !
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
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