PNBHS NEWS

Cricket Development Tour 2018 #4

 
Picture of Ella Mitchell
Cricket Development Tour 2018 #4
i le Ella Mitchell - Wednesday, 10 October 2018, 10:02 AM
 

Cricket Development Tour 2018 

Game 5 vs Wynberg Boys’ High School 1st XI at the Jacques Kallis Oval – 5/10/18

The Jacques Kallis Oval at Wynberg Boys’ is another magnificent cricketing venue, surrounded by trees, with views of Table Mountain in the background.

Captain, Jack Wenham won the toss and elected to bat with the team determined to shake off the previous day’s batting woes. Unfortunately, the top order fell cheaply in the face of some accurate bowling. It was left up to the middle order of Bryn Wilson and Max Harris to drag the team out of the mire and show some Palmy Boys’ spirit. They did this very well, rebuilding the innings with responsible batting and good strokeplay when required. Unfortunately, both fell to unnecessary shots as they tried to accelerate the scoring. This left the team requiring a second “rebuild” and it was left up to Hugo Wakeling and Levi Woolston to try to fashion a competitive score. They started responsibly and held the late part of the innings together well. Sadly, they did not receive much support and the team slumped to 113 all out. Bryn made 24, Hugo 27 and Max 27. Once again, the Development XI failed to make use of the full complement of overs.

After a fiery speech from the coach at the inning’s break, opening bowlers started very well, bowling good lines and lengths and giving the opposition batsmen very little. This pressure soon bore fruit as the 3rd and 4th overs produced wickets. This trend continued in the succeeding overs as the team played with passion, leaving Wynberg reeling at 20 for 5 in the 8th over. PNBHS continued to apply the pressure as Wynberg were made to fight for every run. Wickets continued to fall as the runs were eked out, but the total too low to defend. A spirited spell in the field notwithstanding, Wynberg passed the score in the 31st over with 8 wickets down. Mitch Leach took 2 for 38 and Levi Woolston 3 for 12, including 2 in 2 balls. Another loss, but a vastly improved performance from PNBHS.

At the conclusion of the Wynberg Boys’ High School game, the host parents prepared a braai meal for the boys. Cooked under the watchful eye of touring parent, Mr. Wakeling, who was the self-appointed sampler, the team was served chicken, lamb chop and boerewors accompanied by green and pasta salad and bread rolls.

The Adventure Continues...

The next morning, the team flew from Cape Town to Johannesburg (2 hours) before busing 45 minutes to Pretoria. The main agenda item for the day was to attend the All Blacks versus Springboks Rugby Championship game at Loftus Versfeld. Using some of our fundraising money, we also purchased tickets for our next host team, St Alban’s College and their coaching staff. We all travelled to the game together on our tour bus and were dropped off right at the front gates.

The atmosphere in inside the Loftus Versfeld stadium was truly amazing. The South African National Anthem was sung with great passion and much voice, and the entire stadium erupted into a deafening “ole, ole” chant, drowning out the All Blacks’ haka.

With the Springboks playing so well, dominating both territory and possession for much of the game, we all got to experience the cauldron-like atmosphere inside Loftus for 79.5 minutes. It was truly a pleasure to be present at such remarkable game. To cap things off, the All Blacks stole the game from the Springboks. This broke the hearts of the local fans but not the sprinkling of All Black supporters, including us, who all went crazy!

We stayed at the stadium for the presentations and, luckily for us, the All Blacks wandered to our end of the stadium holding the Rugby Championship trophy aloft. As was only fitting, the boys acknowledged the All Blacks with an impromptu and rousing performance of the school haka. The All Blacks looked surprised and, at the same time, a little amazed to be greeted by us in such away. The whole All Black team stood in respectful silence and watched the pride exhibited by the boys. They then showed their appreciation with smiles and “thumbs-up” gestures.

To have been able to witness this sporting occasion while overseas on tour, will long live in the memories of the entire squad of players, staff and supporters.

Click here to watch the video of this haka to the All Blacks. 

CRICKET DEVELOPMENT TOUR 2018 STRATUS PAGE:

To read more about the PNBHS Cricket Development Tour 2018, including the Tour Booklet, Cricket at PNBHS, Achievements, Match Reports, Photos, News Articles, Player Profiles and more, please visit our Stratus page by clicking here.  

PHOTOS:

Please click here to view the 1st XI Cricket Development Tour 2018 Photo Album.