5 – 7 June 2015
The Under 11 A XI set off for Plymouth, the location of our first match, at 9.45am on Friday, adorned in their tour hoodies and caps. A brief stop for lunch at Taunton Dean Services and then we were back on the road headed for Plymouth College Preparatory School.
Upon arrival the team changed into their whites, put on their sun cream and inspected the pitch. Hoping it would help them to decide whether to bat or bowl first.
Winning the toss Abingdon elected to bat first. Losing an early wicket while on 10 sent the team into panic mode and several wickets then fell in quick succession. However, Noah (19) and Alex (33) ‘steadied the ship’ and put on a 52 run partnership. Abingdon finished their innings on 118 for 10 courtesy mainly of Plymouth College Prep’s bowling and fielding extras. A competitive score and one we would have readily accepted when on 32 for 5.
Lessons were learnt, and we were determined not to give away any fielding extras. The bowling also had to be ‘tight’ to give us the best chance of victory. Again early wickets fell and the pressure was always on Plymouth College Prep who were well behind the required run rate. After the allotted 20 overs, they finished on 86 for 8. Nicholas was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 3 as well as two run outs to his name. Abingdon won by 32 runs.
APS 118 all out
Plymouth College Prep. 86 for 8
Won by 32 runs
Although on a Cricket Tour, the highlight of the weekend for the boys was certainly the surfing at Polzeath Beach on Saturday! The surf was a messy 5ft. swell, testing for many of the beginners in the group. However, by the end of the 2 hour lesson, almost all of the boys had stood up on their boards. The most outstanding surfers were Nicholas, Alex and William. Lunch on the beach followed by a game of football warmed our boys up. We returned to our Premier Inn Hotel on ‘the crest of a wave’ and keen to return again in the not too distant future. A burger and chips supper, tenpin bowling, ‘washed down’ by a dose of Champions League Football (Barcelona vs. Juventus) on the TV completed an exhausting day!
Following a full English breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and made our way to the Yelverton Bohemian Cricket Club. We received a warm welcome from out hosts and proceeded to win the toss again prior to this 30 over match.
A steady batting display with a needed injection of runs from Freddie who scored 30 runs from just 16 balls allowed Abingdon to post a very respectable score of 145 for 6. Outstanding fielding and tight bowling from all, restricted Yelverton to 97 all out. Again Nicholas (4 for 16) was the pick of our bowlers, but Liam, James, William, William and Freddie all contributed with a wicket apiece.
APS 145 for 6
Yelverton Bohemians CC 97 all out
Won by 48 runs
The Year 6s were great ambassadors for the school and received many positive comments from a number of people. Ben and I would like to personally thank all the tourists for their great company and we look forward to touring with you again in the future.
