Victory at Parktown

Day 7:

There's nothing like starting the morning than with a 6:23am swim, or at least that's Coach Thomlinson's motto. The boys have started to adjust to the 6:45am breakfasts and when you keep getting the immaculate spread like we have at the City Lodge, it does make it easy. A short bus ride to the Old Parktonian's oval and the boys were rearing to go for our last game in Joburg. Unfortunately, with a bit of rain the night before, the same couldn't be said for the pitch. Our 9am scheduled start turned into 10:15 and Captain Liam showed supreme confidence in his batsmen to win the toss and chose to post a total despite the stickiness of the wicket.

Adam and George ensured another steady start with some quality batting, after the loss of Adam , Todd hit a huge straight six and kept up a solid run rate. Captain courageous Liam commenced his innings with a beautiful cover drive for 4. The Reds kept the runs coming, after the dismissal of  Todd and Liam , Bruce arrived at the crease and commenced a dominating performance hitting a swashbuckling 59 off 54 for the first half century of the tour, James lent great support with 28 and Jeremy and Luke scored some useful runs in the closing overs. The Reds posted a highly competitive score of 8-199.

The Parktown boys looked in trouble from the outset after some great bowling from Brendan who took an early wicket and James who also troubled the batsman. Bruce ensured the wickets kept tumbling withs screaming yorker. Liam the bowled a blistering spell taking 4 quick wickets. The field from the boys was spectacular especially the out fielding of Lachie who made a number of brilliant diving saves on the boundary. The boys played tremendous cricket to win by 65 runs.

This match ends part one of our journey. The boys have enjoyed the game parks, Sun City and the matches in Joburg, we look forward with great expectation to the Cricket festival in Grahamstown.

The Red Caps had plenty of local support with Todd and Brendan's SA family coming out to watch us hit our straps. 

Yes, we got off to a slightly slow start, but I promise that we make up for it at the end. 

"Who would have thought we would find a better scoreboard than Aloys all the way out here?"

Tomorrow will see us in Port Elizabeth - Bring on the SAC Festival!

Go Reds!!!

Blog by Michael.

Game #2 vs St. Alban's College

Day 6:

An overcast morning greeted us as we had an early breakfast in preparation for our trip to Pretoria to take on the might of St. Alban's College. Bruce and Tom led the team stretch in the corridors while the coaches took a cardio session in the hotel gym - although it was a bit early and strenuous for most of the boys.

We bid farewell to our good friend Andy, who was presented a much sort after Barker Cricket training shirt. On the trip west to Pretoria, the number of Vodacom stores was ridiculous. With no opportunity to stop and purchase one it seemed to mock us as we continue to rely on the hotel's minimal download limits.

Skipper Adam won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first in a sound looking deck. George and Adam saw off the new ball, and when they were dismissed, Ben kept the scoreboard ticking over. Brad came to the crease and hit a couple of sparkling boundaries. Wickets then fell at regular intervals. Cameron and James scored some quick runs in the last couple of overs and at then end of our allotted overs the Reds had made 7-129.

In replay Tom had then St. Albans opener caught brilliantly by Luke diving down the leg side in the first over. Thomas bowled his offies with great skill but had 3 chances put down. Cameron bowled superbly taking 3 quick wickets to have the hosts on shaky ground. The Reds put down another hot chance which resulted in St. Albans scrapping home by 6 wickets.  A much improved performance from boys which alludes to a confident Red squad leading into the Parktown game.

Enthusiastic support by the visiting Reds while the openers batted out the first session.

Openers Adam and George batted solidly to be none down at the first drinks break.

While some good bowling helped the cause, the Reds were a little short of runs in the end.

Despite the result, the Reds squad are showing signs of improvement and with a couple of big inclusions, a great after game recovery session in the pool, and some fantastic seafood at the Fisherman's basket, our fortunes should turn around tomorrow.

SMT

Day trip to Soweto and the Lion Park

Day 5:

Day 5 on tour was truly a once in a life time experience and one we will cherish forever. Today we were lucky enough to visit a number of remarkable places in both Soweto and Johannesburg. These places included The Apatheid Museum, Nelson Mandela's House, a lion sanctuary as well as a tiny village in the heart of Soweto.

The Apartheid Museum was first up in the morning. The museum is located in Johannesburg and was built in 2001 to illustrate the 20th Century History of South Africa with a grand focus on Apartheid. Personally, I only had a small extent of knowledge about Apartheid prior to the exhibition. While walking through the museum, I was shocked when reading and watching some extracts from those times. For example, I watched hundreds of African citizens gunned down by white armed forces in Soweto. For me the footage really highlighted the savagery existing within humanity. These people wee shot simply because they wanted freedom and a united society. Was that really worth killing many innocents? Overall,I think many of the boys really enjoyed the exhibition and gained a valuable insight of the horrific nature of this oppressive regime.

Next we were off to a small village in Soweto. What came next was not anticipated. We arrived at the village and were warmly welcomed by the locals and introduced to our tour guide. He took us down the main alleyway and showed us various aspects of township life. I think all the boys were shocked by the difference in quality of life between where we live on the North Shore and this small village in the middle of Soweto. "It was such an eye opener thank God we live in Australia" Todd.

After a short drive through the township of Soweto we got out of the bus and visited Nelson Mandela's House. This was yet another amazing experience for everyone. Most of the boys just couldn't believe that we were  standing in the house of such a great historical figure and a father figure for many.

The final part of the day was a visit to the Lion Sanctuary just outside of Johannesburg. I think I can say this on behalf of everyone that this was the most popular event of the day. We got to see a number of African animals up close, such as cheetahs, giraffes and hyenas and also got the amazing opportunity to pat small lion cubs. On top of this we drove through various lion prides to finish off the visit.

Overall day 5 was yet again another memorable day for everyone. It was an amazing opportunity to learn more About the 20th century of South Africa, get close to more African animals and travel through and visit a small village in Soweto. 

Blog entry by Adam.

The entry point to the Apartheid Museum. 

A one room preschool in the informal settlement we visited in Soweto.

 The only sign that welcomes you to the township.

Outside the Hector Pieterson Museum. 

 Some of the younger members of the team with one young cub who was just excited to meet the Reds.

A tribute to the great man; Nelson Mandela.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Day 3:

Watching Smith and Haddin save Australia's bacon again seemed to pump the boys up for fun at Sun City and in anticipation of our first game against Soweto CC tomorrow. After another hearty breakfast at the campsite, the boys packed and left the Pilanesberg game park behind.

A short drive had the group at Sun City, but not before seeing one of the more memorable sites of our lives:  a herd of at least 50 elephants, mums, bulls and babies walking along the edge of the game park. Unfortunately, it happened so quickly as we were travelling on the bus, no pictures were captured but I'm sure it will be firmly imprinted in the boys' memories.

Sun City upon approach had the appearance of an oasis in the desert. For the parents old enough to remember, I did expect to hear the theme music to the show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" as we were in the shadows of the Palace Hotel. Boardies on and towel in hand,  the group (even Uncle Thommo) headed for the Valley of the Waves. Thomas, Cam and Max led the charge in lathering up on sunscreen on a day where a guy in orange robes complained to me how hot it was. It was amazing! Activities for everyone. Waves pools for the younguns, whirl pools for the others and the couples pool for the coaches... Parents would be impressed that even while on tour, the older boys were taking their studies seriously with much effort put into maths and language while interacting with the locals. The highlight for many of the boys (particurly Jez who is still talking it up) was the Slide of Courage (picture attached). Not for the feint of heart, it was a 25m drop from top to bottom, but a gentleman holding a bogey board at the end of the slide ensured you didn't fall off the end - OHS hasn't hit South Africa yet.

Entering the Valley of the Waves.

The Slide of Courage tested some in the group and even left some marks on Brad's back.

After lunch and some biltong snacks (which included almost every game park animal from 24 hours previous was an option - I highly recommend the Springbok) to tide us over until dinner, we left Sun City and headed to Bryanston. Luke and James entertained the front of the bus with movie quotes while others took the opportunity for another kip. The three star hotel, City Lodge, greeted us and the boys paired up in some very comfy rooms. The gym, ice machine and restaurant made it a perfect home away from home over the next five nights. Dinner at Spur and a team talk ended the day pleasantly - now it was onto our first game versus Soweto CC.

The world famous wave pool at Sun City. If you look closely, you can see the boys.

JMT

Game #1 vs Soweto CC

Day 4

A glorious day greeted the Reds as the boys arrived in Soweto for the opening fixture of the tour. Our opponents were a senior Soweto club team which proved intimately a bridge too far for the touring Reds. Captain Liam lost the toss and the boys were forced to field on a fairly hot day. Two early wickets to Liam started the bowling effort with great hope. The bowlers all toiled manfully in tough conditions, the spinners Thomas, Michael and Jeremy bowled with great skill and kept the runs down, while Bruce took an important wicket to ensure the run rate was kept in check. Max bowled with fire and had one of the top order batsmen caught behind attempting a hook shot. Brendan worked hard bowling at the finish. The Soweto innings was dominated by their No. 5 batter who scored an impressive 159 no.

In reply, the Reds were scoring at 5 an over and looked in position to mount a serious challenge, but once Michael and Ben were dismissed after a courageous stay at the crease, the run rate slowed. Todd and Liam combined for valuable partnership which brought life back the innings, but unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals and the innings ran out of steam. At the conclusion of the match, the boys were generously hosted by the Soweto club for a Braai after playing a bit of soccer against the locals. The boys played well against a senior team which included a number of former first class players.

Final Score - 310 to 140

SMT

Looking the goods in Soweto maroon.

Thommo found someone who hadn't heard that he gave Brett Lee his nick name.

A panaramic shot of the Soweto Cricket Club

"What side is heads and what side is tails?"

The odd couple openers.

Parents and well-wishers; we've arrived safely.

Day 2

Ever since take off from Sydney Airport, the trip thus far has been one of superlatives. It all started when Coach Thomlinson ran into an old sparring partner on the plane, then suggested he should sit next to him and his wife at the pointy end of the plane. Despite being educated at 'our friends from down the road', Hug Jackman was the perfect gentleman and promised to follow the blog of the boys' progress while in South Africa. Coach Toth kept an eye on things up the back. Qantas crewmen Steve went out of his way to comment on how well-behaved the boys were; in fact, the best sporting team he has looked after in 20 years.

We touched down on time in Johannesburg and met Bruce (who spent Christmas in South Africa) and our contact, Andy. The boys had just enough time to stretch their legs and it was on the bus to the Pilanesberg National Park. Many of the boys (and coaches) took the opportunity to catch up on a bit of sleep over the 2.5 hour trip. I hear the scenery was fantastic heading towards the former volcano, home of the 3rd largest game park in the continent.

The first thing we noticed upon arrival was the clear sky and the rich smell of earth in the air. The boys went to their cabins, headed down to the buffet dinner and ensured the got plenty of rest before our early rise the next morning and the anticipation of seeing the 'Deadly Seven' in the flesh.

A 5am rise to see some lions seemed a bit of a tall order for Liam and Ben, attracting the first fines on tour. After the mandatory indemnity form signing and locating sunglasses we were off. In what must have been no more than two minutes we followed a trail of excrement that could have only led us to one animal - a bull elephant! Lefty as we called him (he only had his left tusk) wouldn't stop following us and we thought we had acquired a mascot for the tour. Further venturing led us to a sight that had our guide, Gift, and Andy telling us how lucky we were. A black rhino - with only a few in the park, I think the boys appreciated how luck we were. As our three hour journey continued, we saw enough impala and zebras to think that the lions must have been lying down after overeating as opposed to hiding. Giraffes, water bucks, kudos, wilder beasts, and even a couple of crocodiles followed.

After breakfast and a team aqua session, coaches and boys enjoyed free time. Some swam, others walked and I believe one or two even slept. Others enjoyed a lesson on currency conversion from Coach Toth - 7 rand (about 80 cents) for a Coke; what a country! 4:30pm saw us ready for our evening drive, with no one late. Adam had recharged his impressive zoom iPhone camera and cam was reminded yet again that his camera was still in Sydney. After a few giraffes and springboks we seemed to be driving quite quickly without stopping for much for the next half hour. Then Gift told us why, as did about 20 cars stopped at the top of a shallow valley. A lion had been spotted near half a dozen zebras. Coach Thomlinson had only two hours ago watched a similar scenario on a nature channel. The boys were having mixed feelings in anticipation and the van was splint those cheering for the lion (led by Bruce) and those on the side of the zebra (led by Luke). One lion then turned into 2 mature females with a cub, possibly teaching it how to hunt. The boys will be able to retell it much better than I can write but to cut a long story short, the zebra (named Issy Falou) sidestepped his way through and lived to tell his relatives. After that excitement, the lads were hungry so we headed to our dinner reservations; a braii under the nighttime sky, with some of the game we saw earlier on our plates (just joshin' - sort of). After dinner and a chance hippo sighting on the way home, it was off to bed early in order to try and catch some of the first day of the Sydney test on TV in the morning.

A giraffe taking a sneaky look through the bushes.

Coaches Thomlinson and Toth loving the zebra steaks while the boys hook into more traditional fare.

While the boys tried to escape recognition, the rhinos and water bucks were in full view.

JMT

At Sydney Airport

1st January 2014

All tourists checked in successfully despite a slight issue with baggage allowances (Max and Brad were the saviours there and allowed Coach Toth to take clothes on tour).

A quick goodbye to parents (Adam will be in trouble on his return) and it was off to the food court for the boys and somewhere quiet for the coaches (close by of course).

Next stop Johannesburg after a 14 hour flight.

The Barker College Cricket Development Tour to South Africa.