Hello again! This is the second blog from Muir College, Uitenhage at which we’re having a fantastic time.
We have played two matches since the last blog so there’s a lot to tell. The first match of the year for the first and second team was against old rivals, the highest fee-paying school in the province, St. Andrews College. I was selected to play for the first team while Jack and Michael played for the seconds (and Benn sat out both because of his back injury).
The first team won the toss and bowled. It was after that I was told I was to open the bowling on my debut! It didn’t turn out to be a problem, however, as I took a wicket (clean bowled off stump) third ball of the match! A very draining and sweaty eight over spell later I was very happy with figures of 8-3-28-2. The game then petered out into a very even draw with me scoring a steady 13 before a loose shot led to my downfall. All in all, however, it was a good start.
The seconds’ game also seemed to go a similar way until the last hour when St. Andrews snatched victory. It was a good game for the Leinster boys though with Jack getting a wicket and 42 runs, Michael 15 runs and two stumpings and a catch behind the stumps.
The following week was spent in the hostel by Jack and I, in Durban by Benn (seeing last season’s Terenure professional Jason) and in Addo Adventure Park by Michael with his dad who very kindly came over for a few nights and made them very enjoyable. The firsts were playing York High School at the weekend and I played well enough last week to warrant selection again. It did, however, mean a tiring four hour drive on the Friday morning but the night spent there more than made up for it.
Put simply, I went to my first South African house party which was more than enjoyable! I’m not going to say any more than that! The match the next day was also a success with an easy chase of 140 not even needing my help. I did bowl figures of 7-4-7-2 earlier bowling well enough to make one batsman play and miss five times in one over!
In the seconds it was similar news to last week with Benn and Jack taking a wicket each and Jack making 40. Michael kept well again taking two catches and a stumping. We are all very tired but happy nonetheless.
We’re very much looking forward to the next weekend!
Looking forward to blogging again soon, Thomas Anders