Myself and Andrew (Mowatt) have done quite a bit since the last article. On the first Wednesday we went for a row in Port Alfred with the school post-matrics and the first team cricket coach Mr Moodley.
It took four hours to get out to the hut (which had no electricity or running water) where we would stay the night and have a braai (barbecue) before staying in the pitch black with massive spiders crawling around! The next day we had to row back again and although it was very tough it was a great experience and it was good to know what it feels like to spend time in the 'bush'.
Leinster cricketers Andrew Mowatt and Niall McGovern with Eastern Province U'15 provincial player Lyal Peterson.
On Saturday we had a match against Graeme College who are based in Grahamstown. Former pupils include the Smuts brothers, JJ and Kelly, who both play for the Eastern Province 'Warriors'. They batted first and were all out for 136. I got 2-25 including a wicket off my first ball but a poor fielding performance meant four dropped catches off my bowling alone. In reply we were 50 odd for 2 when it started to rain and play was abandoned for the day.
On Sunday we went to Muir College school principal Mr Hopley's house on the Kromme River with the teaching staff which was really enjoyable. Our next match was at home against local rivals Despatch. Now let me tell you they breed them tough in Despatch! The great rugby player Dannie Gerber is from here as is Johan Botha. We were put into bat and made a very good 250 odd especially as it was very difficult to bat early on a green pitch. We then rolled them for 70 odd, completing a comprehensive win.
Today one of the teachers Mr. Whal and his parents and girlfriend brought us out to Jeffery's Bay (a really nice beach 40 km West of Port Elizabeth). We went body boarding and visited the 'Billabong' factory shop where we picked up a few t-shirts and shorts. Yet again I got a bit sunburnt!
So it's been a great few weeks here in South Africa to date. We are half way through the trip now and it's been excellent so far. Hopefully I can start getting a few big scores in the coming games.
More in a few weeks.
Niall McGovern
