During February half-term the Senior Cricket team ventured on a cricket tour to Cape Town, South Africa. Their journey began with a bus ride to Gatwick Airport, followed by two gruelling long-haul flights, before finally touching down in the scorching heat of Cape Town. They were warmly greeted by their Sporta representative, Mark, and their dedicated driver for the week.
Buzzing with excitement from their arrival the students were excited to start exploring. Unfortunately, due to some wild weather on Table Mountain, the trip was delayed until the latter end of the week. However, the boys quickly settled into Cape Town lifestyle with big steakhouse lunch at Victoria waterfront.
The next day, after a much-needed early night, the team woke up ready for their first game against the top-ranked schoolboy team in South Africa, Rondebosch Boys’ High. A nervous start saw the lads keep Rondebosch to 131 – 4 by drinks at 17 overs, thanks to some tidy bowling from Oscar W and Fred I. With spin into the game, Hurst struck, before Rondebosch piled on the runs finishing with 377. Hurst started solidly, but contributions from Oli W and Oscar W still left the team far too short once 50 overs had been bowled.
The following day was a rest day from matches, but far from a day off. The team rose early for an unforgettable trip to the Aquila Game Reserve. The pupils were all very fortunate to see a range of local wildlife 鈥� from lions and hippopotamuses to zebras and ostriches. Following some downtime by the pool and a quick bite to eat, the team swapped the reserve for the iconic Camp’s Bay Beach. There, they played touch rugby, football, and enjoyed a swim before heading into town for a stunning sunset dinner overlooking the ocean.
The next morning brought a new adventure鈥攕urfing at one of Cape Town’s famous beaches. After a warm-up and a quick lesson, the boys hit the waves with varying degrees of success, but with plenty of laughs and team spirit. Later that day, it was time for game two against Paul Roos at another picturesque ground, framed by mountain views. The team quickly realised just how much the wind would be a factor but prepared well. After losing the toss, Hurst batted first. Paul Roos seized the momentum, bowling Hurst out before pushing back hard in their own innings. Despite a spirited bowling effort, Hurst simply didn鈥檛 have enough runs on the board to turn the game around.
Ahead of their third match, the team finally made it to the top of the iconic Table Mountain via cable car. The breathtaking views and countless photo opportunities gave the boys a moment to reflect on the incredible experience they were sharing. From there, they set off on a long journey to Somerset College. Under pressure during the power play, Hurst fought back with impressive, economical bowling from spinners Oscar H and Alex K. Their innings began with a flurry of boundaries, including a spectacular six by captain Ben W. The middle order worked hard to steady the ship after a series of quick wickets, but despite a strong partnership from Eddie H and Oli W, they fell just short of victory. After the match, the team enjoyed a well-earned steakhouse dinner, with heartfelt words of thanks shared for the coaches, local support, and teammates.
On their final full day, the team enjoyed a free morning. Some opted to relax by the balcony pool, while others explored Victoria Mall for souvenirs and gifts. In the afternoon, they arrived eager for their final fixture 鈥� a day/night game against Bishops. Early wickets from Oscar W and Henry O gave Hurst hope, but Bishops’ powerful middle order propelled them to an imposing total. Fatigue from the long tour seemed to take its toll, as Hurst鈥檚 batting fell short of its potential. Nonetheless, the team showed great character, debriefing thoroughly and embracing the opportunity to bond with their opponents 鈥� many players exchanging t-shirts and caps with the Bishops’ squad.
