KEARSNEYUKCRICKETTOUR Atthe end ofJune 2001,the Kearsney First Cricket XI left South Africa for a three-week tour of the UK. As the end of the second term approached, excitement levels rose as steadily as the Pound against the Rand,and in inverse proportion to our parents' bank-balances. Finally departure day arrived and our parents exhausted by months offrantic fund-raising and a hectic night's washing and ironing to get us packed and ready waved a last farewell as we disappeared through the check-in point. After a routine stopover in Johannesburg, we finally settled into our economy-sized economy seats and the fragile metal cylinder revved its engines and soared into the air. We were off! An uneventful flight halfway across the world behind us, we landed at Heathrow and set off for Taunton in Somerset, where we played against Kings College and Taunton School with pleasing results. Wayn After a long day in the field, followed by a long walk into Taunton village, Ross Canny took a long slide down the Tenpin Bowling alley on hisbackside. Unfortunately, not even this extraordinary level of commitment to his game produced a strike. Our next fixture took us to Millfield School, Somerset: a sporting paradise set in rolling grounds with facilities as good as any in the world. We played a three-day match, which was a new experience for several team members. However, the team adjusted well to the different demands of this type ofgame and we were delighted to draw against what is widely held to be England's top sporting school. Millfield is a co-ed school, but unfortunately our hectic schedule didn't allow us to take on the girls. Our next stop was Oundle,Northants a town that will always have a place in Nic Roberts' memory, for reasons that I will graciously omit. Over the next few days we participated in Oundle School's annual Silk Trophy Tournament. We played three 50-over games against competitive teams from Shrewsbury School, Eton and Oundle School, emerging as the triumphant winners ofthe coveted Silk Trophy for 2001. This was definitely a highlight ofthe tour,and Wayne Madsen's splendid achievement in winning both the best batsman and best bowler awards added the cherry on top. Buoyed up by our recent victory, we set off for Bedfordshire, where we played Bedford Modern School. Despite a promising start, rain dampened e Madsen^s splendid achievement in winning both the best batsman and best bowler awards added the cherry on top. both our spirits and the wicket and the match was abandoned. Our cricketing fortunes declined with the weather. We experienced our first loss ofthe tour in a 45-over match against Coventry and North Warwick Cricket Club, which was won almost single-handedly by their young West Indian professional who scored 130-odd runs oftheir 189run total! This loss was regrettably followed by a narrow defeat at the hands of the Leicestershire U19 side by 13 runs. Down,but definitely not out, we boarded the bus for Cardiff, Wales,and our last match ofthe tour. Unfortunately the field was waterlogged and play was cancelled, so the team took to the streets of Cardiff. Steven Booth, never one to avoid a challenge,rashly let the local barber loose on his trademark floppy hair with interesting results. Some of the team members got the opportunity to tour the Millennium Stadium and were suitably impressed. And last, but never least - London! With all the cricket matches behind us, the team turned its attention to a different kind ofplaying. I am happy to report that in this regard Kearsney's fortunes equalled our successes on the field. After our official tour dinner,we were fortunate to attend a performance of"The Beautiful Game",which was greatly enjoyed by all. The team then embarked on an exhaustive investigation ofLondon's public transport system, which operates almost 24 hours a day. We all agreed that our social lives at home would be significantly improved if Durban had a similar setup! I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Youth Hostels' accommodation,and enjoyed the opportunity to meet interesting young people from foreign places. All good things must come to an end. Tired, but triumphant, we travelled to Heathrow where we boarded the 'plane for the long flight home - to try to catch up on some much-needed sleep before school began. Our sincere thanks must be extended to Mr Griffiths and Mr van Zyl,whose enthusiasm and support never failed, and to our parents for footing the bill for our adventures. »G LEWIS 93
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