DAY 1 – Wednesday 10th January
The party of 41 tourists assemble at Heathrow Airport having come by bus from the depths of Dorset and Hampshire via The Rosebowl, Southampton, Petersfield and HMS Warrior.
The party consisted of 23 players 1 scorer and 2 umpires plus 15 WAGS (wives and grandmothers)
DAY 2 – Thursday 11th January
Arrive at Stellenbosch and met by Echo reporter and bon viveur Mike Vimpany. Breakfast was taken with views over stunning vineyards. Staying at the hotel is the Australian ladies touch rugby team here for their touch rugby world cup tournament which includes Wales, Scotland, CI and England. They were asked “who are the favourites?” and they replied briskly “we are the world champions and what about those Ashes mate?”. President John Rickard, Trevor Foreman and Andrew Yorke head for the local golf course where Foreman shows local knowledge and wins easily.
Steve Mitchell celebrates 51st birthday with Tour party in the hotel restaurant and
we practice the tour anthem – result dire.
DAY 3 – Friday 12th January
First of the 4 ball golf challenges between the Keith 4 and the Trevor 4 at the Dzelze Wine Estate Golf Club and Balmers awesome foursome take the honours.
Franschoek shows why it is the prettiest village on the Cape and everyone enjoys the first of the wine tastings. Wonderful African evening at Mayo where the team Manager’s wife entertains all with sensuous dancing on stage. |
DAY 4 – Saturday 13th January
First match of the tour and why we are here
MATCH 1 v Groot Drakenstein CC at Groot Drakenstein
The oldest grass cricket pitch in SA and probably the prettiest ground. We gather around the club flag and toast GDCC health with brandy. John Harris gets first tour 50 and with Tony Adams 62* the team finish with a respectable 190 for 4 off 40 overs. Groot Drakenstein open spectacularly hitting 55 for 0 after 7 overs. The oldest tour bowler 72 year old Stan Rudder is hit for 6 on SA’s oldest ground. Stan exacts revenge next ball having the “offender” caught in the deep by our own South African, Trevor Foreman. The Seniors hold firm and end up winning by 43 runs. Excellent entertainment follows in the clubhouse - tour anthem improves.
DAY 5 – Sunday 14th January
MATCH 2 v Elgin Friendly XI CC at Elgin Country Club
A predominately Dorset side take on the opposition in another beautiful setting with a lake in the background. The Seniors bat first and Steve Mitchell, Peter Doust and Martin Hall help the score to a below par 152. Huge Elgin Luddite (wine grower) opener flays bowlers to all parts and Groundsman of the Year Chris Westbrook’s faster ball is dispatched through the ladies loo window. (The ball is later presented to CW at the end of tour dinner). Seniors “loos” by 8 wickets. Our man of the match shirt proves far too small for their Luddite winner. The hospitality is great once again. |
