Days 9 and 10, Coral Sands Hotel and 2 more matches

Days 9 & 10, Coral Sands Hotel and 2 more matches:

1^st XI Beach Cricket on Day 10

              Our final leg of the tour was spent at the Coral Sands Hotel in Hikkaduwa, just north of the historic city of Galle. Situated on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is a popular destination for holidaymakers owing to its glorious beaches, seaside restaurants and scenic hotels. From our temporary abode, we would travel far and wide to games in previously visited stadiums, as well as new ones in close proximity. The motorway was, fortunately, in action, despite the vast number of peacocks, cows and stray dogs that seem to wander down it!

              On day 9, the 1^st XI travelled 5 minutes to the MCC Lords ground to face the “FOG Academy”, and the 2^nd XI went back to the Maratuwa De Soysa Stadium, where they had been previously successful, to play against the British International School.

The monsoon season was proving to be as unpredictable as ever, and with rain threatening every other over, the 1^st XI played two T20 games. Although the journey was only short, they faced their toughest challenge yet against a side containing 3 Sri Lankan U18 cricketers. Unfortunately, they finished second in both games, with one Sri Lankan scoring a devastating century in game one.

The 2^nd XI enjoyed fairer weather, and made short work of their opposition once more. The De Soysa stadium has been kind to us, and we hope for the same result when the 1^st XI visit on Friday (Day 11). Jack Carney scored a delightful 41, and was supported well by Callum Snaylam with 21, and the rest of the team.

In the evening there was more time to relax at the hotel, an impromptu, yet well-received, visit to Pizza Hut, and some boys demonstrated their impressive general knowledge in Mrs Byrne’s quiz.

Reception Quizzers

              Although it was another early start for fatiguing bodies and minds, the boys were in good spirits and energetic on Day 10: they were restless, not because of annoying, itching insect bites from the previous evening, but because there was more cricket to be played! The 1^st XI made the journey to the previously visited city of Matara for their match, and the 2^nd XI were to play at the MCC Lords ground against the younger players of the “FOG Academy” that the 1^st XI faced the day before.

              Once again, clouds rumbled the uneasy skies, and the 2^nd XI did not travel to their fixture because of the heavy downpours in Hikkaduwa; unfortunately, their match would later be cancelled at lunchtime. The 1^st XI’s journey took them out of a drenched Hikkaduwa to a ground right in the heart of Matara. Although the sun beat down on the wicket from clear skies, a neglected square meant that the start time would be delayed; a failure to put covers on the night before proved to be rather unwise in the monsoon season where thunderstorms are frequent, particularly at night. But all was not lost, and a trip to the beach while the wicket was sponged effectively with high-cost equipment (a man with a small to middling-sized sponge accompanied by his feet and bodyweight, I kid you not!) proved to be a fruitful one.

The Sri Lankan Super Soaker

              A small beach provided a space for our boys to play some cricket, take a dip in the sea and buy some ridiculously cheap clothes from the stalls nearby. Elephants pants are all the rage these days (apparently), and the boys soon kitted themselves out in the local attire.

Blistering beach batting. Reverse sweeps aplenty!

Nick Sweeney sporting Sri Lankan trousers

              Trendy trousers were not the only thing on display at the beach: the famous stilt fishermen were balanced precariously on their sticks only metres away, and nimble crabs scuttled sideways in and out of the sand looking to surprise their prey.

Stilt Fisherman in action

Sand crabs with more nip and sideways movement than even Tom Barker’s swing bowling!

Before long it was back to the ground, where the boggy wicket had dried suitably for a 30 over game of cricket. Maybe the man with the golden sponge knows something we don’t about the effective drying of grass… either that, or the burning 30 Celsius heat of the Sun and the light breeze were the real heroes of evaporation. The 1^st XI would field first and restrict the opposition to an accessible 127, and our boys were equal to the task, winning with several overs to spare, which was lucky as the light was being to fade!

1^st XI playing in Matara

             

              More Sri Lankan spies!

              Mr Sutcliffe presented the Sri Lankans with a man of the match award at the end, and there was just enough time for a photo of both teams.

              Meanwhile, the 2^nd XI enjoyed a day out in Galle, revisiting the Dutch fort to see the snake charmer and do some shopping and sightseeing. The whole team ended up in comfy (there had to be some reason for buying them as it certainly wasn't style!) elephant trousers, and even had a fashion shoot when they returned to the hotel.

Very fetching, gentlemen!

With only 2 nights left in the Coral Sands Hotel, our first night of check-in at the Pegasus Reef Hotel in Colombo seems like an age ago. Tomorrow brings the final games of the trip, and our final night in Sri Lanka!