op U12 cricket players from Graeme College, Kingswood College and St Andrew's Prep represented the Albany district in the Eastern Province U12 Inter-District Cricket Festival last weekend.
op U12 cricket players from Graeme College, Kingswood College and St Andrew's Prep represented the Albany district in the Eastern Province U12 Inter-District Cricket Festival last weekend.
Despite only winning one of their three matches, Albany team coach Thabo Lesoro said he was happy with the sides performance throughout the festival as the team “had a good spirit and the boys had fun”.
The event was hosted by St Andrew's Prep for the second year in a row, and serves as a showcase for provincial selectors to scout for next year's talented U13 cricket players. The eight teams who took part were Albany, PE Zone 1, PE Zone 2, PE Zone 3, Uitenhage, Kouga, Karoo and Winterberg.
In their first match against Port Elizabeth Zone 1 on Friday, Albany batted first and made 195 for 5 in their Allotted 50 overs. PE Zone 1 passed the score, making 196 with five wickets down in the second last over.
Albany lost by five wickets. Callum Dugmore made 64 runs, while Bradley van Heerden took two wickets.
On Saturday, Albany lost again by five wickets against PE Zone 2. Albany batted first and posted 88 runs. PE Zone 2 passed the score with five wickets down.
In their final match on Sunday, Karoo batted first and made 154. Albany then made 155 with three wickets down, for a seven wicket win. Luke Hobson made 46, Murray Koster 36 and Callum Dugmore 25. Carl Johnson and Bradley van Heerden took two wickets each.
In welcoming the teams, master in charge of cricket at St Andrew's Prep Zane Plescia said: “Aside from the contest between bat and ball, it (cricket) is a game which provides opportunity for camaraderie and friendships both on and off the field. It is also a game with many timeless traditions and it is naturally important that these are honoured and nurtured, and what better way to do so than at a young and impressionable age”.
