2009 Tours
Spain
After the success of the 2008 tour to Cornwall, the Development Squad ventured to warmer climes in 2009 and visited La Manga playing 3 fixtures against strong opposition. The tour was a fantastic week and saw some excellent cricket played as well as some less impressive golf! Plenty of R and R was also possible with time spent by the pool, BBQing on the apartment balconies, visiting the beach and sampling the local nightlife!
Playing in 35 degree heat and on an astro-turf wicket took some getting used to but the side adapted well and Barcelona CC were defeated in a tightly fought 40 over game as were La Manga CC in an equally enthralling T20 match. The highlight of the week came with the final game against the Spanish ICC National Side. Tight Spanish bowling restricted Wimbledon to 166 but Spain were soon in trouble a hostile opening spell from Dan Urquhart. In the end the Spanish side limped home by 2 wickets but it had been a thoroughly spirited performance from Wimbledon who have given the Spaniards a real shock.
The tour was a fantastic overall success and there are already plans in place for another European tour in 2010.
South Africa
South Africa is one of those places which genuinely tugs at the soul. The rhythm of the place beats like nothing else. The passion for sport and the outdoors is overwhelming. Those who are from South Africa live it and breathe it. Those who visit long to stay.
For Wimbledon Cricket Club the 2009 lived up to all expectations. 2 weeks of splendid cricket, fantastic weather, wines and camaradery was enjoyed in Cape Town and the surrounding areas. And the cricket games, often aggressively layed, were equally accompanied by fantastic hostelry after the games over a beer and a brai.
Rory Lavery skippered the side ably assisted by henchman Paul Redwood. Paul Swift, Simon Waymouth, Ian Meadows, Tim Carter joined them from the UK, complemented by a series of ex Wimbledonians who had repatriated after several seasons in Church Road.
Home from home for the week was the fabulous Water Front near the V+A in Cape Town.
The fixtures included
Groot Draak, Franschoek (win)
Groot Draakenstein is a Club situated in the lesser known viticulture centre of Franschoek. The location has a great cricketing heritage, renowned for putting down the first strip in SA and also for originating the one day game. I am pleased to report that WCCs men took on board the history and promptly displayed their one-day prowess, with Lavery, Waymouth and Carter posting large scores and setting the team up for a comfortable win.
Belville (defeat)
The initial glory was soon tempered in Belville, a premier side and home of the local Lavery. Former players of the Club went on to become Springboks, so performing well at Belville is not an easy task. The top order fell quickly but the team muscled through to post an acceptable target. Despite a hard fight to the death, Belville eventually won out and took the game by 2 wickets.
Western Province (win)
The final game against WP was the most tense. WP is also a strong premier side who had a number of top players fielded that day. A solid performance from the spinners, especially Waymouth, ably assisted by Meadows and Hobson, kept the WP province side restricted to a modest score.
TC’s batting prime shone through and claimed a ton against the premier side. The rest of the team contributed well to bring in a final win for the team to make the tour a 2-1 success. Our thanks go to the sides who were delightful hosts and we look forward to hosting you on your return fixtures to the UK.
Trips included: Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Stellenbosch, Delheim and Lynx, Robben Island, Golf, Cape Point, Chapmans Peak. Photos attached. A splendid trip.
SA correspondent
