DAY 16 – Thursday 25th January
A double header today - one versus Western Province CC and the other against The Midmar Golden Bulls (Yes, they are a cricket team!!) both at the prestigious WPCC. Resources are fully stretched but two enjoyable matches ensue.
Match 7 v Western Province CC
Batting first, the Seniors compile a respectable 165-5 aided by Colin Handley 45 (retired) and skipper Alan Wright 43*. WPCC, after a steady start, are derailed with the introduction of Chairman, John Rickard whose masterclass in off spin bowling produces figures of 4-1-8-3.
JR retires gracefully from the action leaving him top of the tour bowling averages!! Seniors win by 65 runs.
Match 8 v Midmar Golden Bulls
The Bulls openers smash 74 off 10 overs before Jim Smallbone (3-20) restores order leaving the Seniors a target of 159 to win. Harris (55) and Watson (26) match the Bulls opening stand – thereafter the reply grinds to a halt! Veteran Stan Rudder is caught in the deep, trying to clear the boundary off the penultimate ball and the Seniors fail gloriously by a mere 5 runs. The match sums up the spirit of the entire tour.
Final playing stats Won 4 Lost 4 – parity.
Magnificent hospitality after the matches with another BBQ under the African stars around a swimming pool that tourists had been using during the day
DAY 17 – Friday 26th January
Shirley & Eve Rudder join Stan and other tourists at Newlands to see the first day of the 3rd Test match SA v Pakistan. We enjoy a hospitality box on the top level of the pavilion. Hursley Park CC Groundsman (IOG Groundsman of the Year 2005) Chris Westbrook not happy with state of the wicket - 15 wickets fall in the day confirming his reservations and CW nods wisely. Sweepstake on the score for Pakistan (152) easily won by barmaid ( local knowledge) who pockets all our Rand!! Some of the party enjoy a visit to the Newlands Long Room and at end of days play the tourists are well and truly sponsored!!!
In the evening the end of tour dinner was held at the hotel and thanks were made to local organisers Andrew and Barbara. Geoff Prouton is hardly able |
to carry the bouquet of flowers for cheesecake making Barbara. A toast was also made to absent Mike Swain for all his pre-tour work and skipper Alan Wright presented hard-hitting Martin Hall with his 2006 player of the season award. The prestigious cricketer of the tour was won by Pat Wickson. John Rickard President’s award goes to Commander Ronnie Broome for his all round good humour, good spirits and spirited sing-a-longs/sea shanties. Trevor Foreman presents the final tour fines and the golf reports with the President leading the final magnificent rendering of the Tour Anthem (including another verse). Celia Lucas gives us the Scorers Lament and Andrew York lowers the tone by singing the Flower of Scotland. Our finale is the National Anthem led with gusto by Stan Rudder to complete a memorable evening.
DAY 18 – Saturday 27th January
The last match of golf is played at the Atlantic Beach GC and the regulars ware joined by Jim Smallbone, Chris Wood and Pat Wickson - no rough - just fairway and jungle. Trevor Foreman triumphant trio win the day but previous-century Dorset skipper Keith Balmer tames the course with 43 points.. Many tourists take High Tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel which is £1,000 per night and the Adams family book in for 1 week’s holiday!!
Evening for non-partnered-tourists spent at Morton on the Wharf - best restaurant on the Waterfront where news of cup defeats for Portsmouth fails to upset the taste of the last Tiramisu dessert (a favourite for both Chairman and Scorer – both Saints supporters).
DAY 19 – Sunday 28th January
Tourists on parade in the early morning darkness for 8.15am BA flight to London. Harris completes BA flight survey ( B….. Awful appears on several pages!). Geoff Prouton fails to get upgrade because his Uncle has a friend who knows someone who works for BA!! Farewells are said at Heathrow, Winchester and finally at the Rosebowl, the home of Hampshire Cricket where our odyssey began 19 days before.
Composed by John Rickard, Dick Batchelor and Tony Wharton
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