The Chronicle, Summer 2019

46 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Cricket Tour By Peter Ades OSE, Tour Captain An early Thursday morning in February was when it all began – leaving School and the English winter behind for a few days in order to go to the stunning Caribbean to play cricket was the opportunity that 16 young men had before them, and their excitement was soon to be completely fulfilled. It was a tour that consisted of extreme heat and promising performances but, most of all, a real sense of enjoyment from each other’s company. As a team we had spoken about the opportunities that this tour offered, especially to the younger members of the side: playing cricket in a completely different environment, growing as a team, and also enabling each individual to develop their personal skills. The performances and the results were a little mixed: two narrow T20 losses to a West Barbados Schools Select XI (by 1 run) and

England successfully break their run-chase record in defeating the West Indies in the 1st ODI at a bouncing Kensington Oval, and a catamaran cruise in which we all quickly made a new best friend: the Factor 100 sun cream! As all good things do, though, our time in Barbados unfortunately had to come to an end. One thing that is for certain, however; memories had been made that will last for life, and friendships had been strengthened over the course of those eight days. Special mentions to Will and Henrietta (OSE) Oakley for hosting us for a spectacular beach BBQ at the Cobblers Cove, to Mr and Mrs Keen for a wonderful evening at their rented villa on Sandy Lane and to Mr Swainson, Mr Simpkins and Mr Roche who gave up their Half Terms to accompany us and allow us to have a tour that none of us will ever forget.

then Wanderers CC (by 4 wickets with 2 balls to spare) in our first outing, followed by a comfortable 39 run victory against Grantley Adams School, then losses to two of the strongest schoolboy sides in Barbados – The Lodge School (by 4 wickets) and Combermere School (by 2 wickets) – before concluding with a hard fought 12-run victory against Coleridge and Parry School. Many lessons were learnt. The most consistent performer was James Marsh, who took 8 wickets (at an average of 13) and also scored valuable middle-order runs. Other important all-round contributions came from Jamie Regan and Ben Jacobs, who were both appearing for a St Edward’s cricket side for the very first time. The enjoyment did not stop with the cricket as the squad sampled a huge range of extracurricular activities, including watching

Kunal Barman bowling