The Pineapple Cricket Tournament lived up to expectations and beyond. I made my first appearance at the tournament last week and probably overstayed my welcome – but once you're in Port Alfred for the event, it’s hard to leave.
The Pineapple Cricket Tournament lived up to expectations and beyond. I made my first appearance at the tournament last week and probably overstayed my welcome – but once you're in Port Alfred for the event, it’s hard to leave.
The 'over 60s' evening on the Monday night was my introduction to tooouuuurnament and the stories were priceless.
“I made one run, dropped one catch and took one wicket but had the best day ever.” – Dr Rudi Marx Yes, Dr Marx is still alive and well and still playing cricket.
He also tells me since I mentioned his name in my talk on the night, he’s been getting a lot of new patients.
Who do I invoice for the commission Doc?
A drink at the Albany will do.
Tuesday was spent mostly recovering at the My Pond Hotel, which is run by the Stenden SA students – and what great staff, accommodation, food and service.
I’ve been going to Port Alfred for holidays for the past 10 years and had no idea that the little town had a private higher education institution offering a three-year Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Hospitality Management, which is internationally recognised.
I guess you learn new things every day in the Eastern Cape.
What I also learned is that there is never a coin toss in the big game on the Wednesday between Olifantskop and the tournament title sponsor, which this year was the “Kent empire” of Kenrich Motors.
It’s a long story but Olifantskop captained by Frankie Ferreira dictate that they bowl first every year and we, being Kenrich Motors, captained by ageless Rhodes lecturer Jos Welman, had to bat first on a wet, green track.
Needless to say, we were skittled for a paltry 120 and I only just remembered that we played on a mat surface.
So, you can see where I’m going with this sad story.
We were soundly beaten by Olifants-crook (that’s the new name I gave them) and to make matters worse, I was bowled by a long hop from Grahamstown Car Wash owner, John Wootton, which bounced three times before it hit the stumps.
Sorry Woot but I guess any publicity is better than no publicity.
Despite the defeat, it was one of the most memorable days and I can’t ever remember laughing as hard and as much.
It was also great to see cricket administrators making the effort to be there during the tournament including the new EP Cricket CEO, Jesse Chellan, Mthetheleli Ngumbela and Corrie van Zyl.
Behind the scenes, Walter Biggs, James Fox, Barry Smith and all those before them who have played a role in organising the Pineapple Tournament, as well as the ground staff, you have done one helluva job.
Not forgetting the umpires including Jamie Lovemore, who’s still standing in the middle at age '89' – hap hap boet! So, it’s no surprise that the Pineapple Tournament is 111 years old and still going strong.
Sorry almost forgot, Sidbury were the winners of the tournament, beating the defending champions, Cuylerville in the final.
Have another drink Joffers!
