In our second last week we continued to attend class and it was the same routine as the previous six weeks. However we did find time to play a few rounds of golf at the local 'Uitenhage Golf Club'. With money on offer it is hard to say that we didn't take it serious! Unfortunately for me, Jack and Tom took the money, winning it for their school, Sandford Park!
That same weekend we (the 2nd XI) played away to Lingside, a local school in Port Elizabeth. Winning the toss Lingside chose to bat and we immediately had them on the back foot, Tom taking a wicket in the 2nd over. We continued to exert the pressure and managed to bowl them out for 135. Lorcan took 2 catches and a stumping. Tom had figures of 2-18 off 7 and I finished off with 2-22 off 8. We went out to bat positively and changed it down within 25 overs. Lorcan switched from opening to number 5 and him and I saw it home both hitting a nice 20 not out!
Meanwhile Jack and the 1st XI were away to Priory College, another school in Port Elizabeth. Muir won the toss and chose to bowl. They kept Priory to a small total of 140 all out off 45 overs. Jack picked up figures of 3-26 off 10. In the run chase Muir chased it four wickets down, with Jack hitting 35.
During our final week we headed off to my great uncle and aunts house on the coast in Port Elizabeth. We spent lots of time by the beach and bought whatever presents we needed for our families. We also made it to a T-20 match between the Cape Cobras and local franchise team, The Warriors at St George's Park. This was a nice way to finish off our trip.
In our final weekend the 2nd XI played the Muir College ‘Old Boys’ in a T-20 match and Jack played for the 1st XI in a 50 over game. We batted first and made 120. None of us made significant scores, getting out to loose shots. We bowled well in patches but we also bowled too many bad balls. With 7 needed to win off the last over the Old Boys managed to squeeze 6 singles, the game resulting in a draw!
Meanwhile in Jacks 1st XI game the Old Boys batted first and scored a massive 260 off 50 overs. Jack picked up figures of 3-34 off 10. In the batting Muir were always on the back foot, being bowled out for 103. Jack scored 44.Ross Haynes and Devon Adams bowled particularly well.
Our flight home was the next day and we were ready to go back to Dublin. After a long day and a bit traveling we were greeted with cheers from all our parents at the airport!
We would like to thank everyone that made the whole experience possible, especially Cricket Leinster who gave us plenty of tips & advice, before and during the trip. I would recommend the trip to any young Leinster cricketer who may obtain this fantastic opportunity to spend time at Muir College in the future.