While Britain was enduring rotten weather, 27 students from Spalding Grammar School embarked on a Caribbean cricket adventure during the February half term.
Some 18 months in the making, the purpose of the Barbados tour was two-fold – for students to improve their cricketing skills and to experience the culture of another country.
Planned by the school’s director of cricket Nic Stone and supported by PE staff Dave Venables, Chris Crane and Dave Endersbee, the team were also joined by parent/coach Paul Holmes.
After checking into their hotel, the lads trained at a local club Wanderers before played an inter-club match. The students soon discovered the differences in humidity, heat and pitch conditions which they were going to face for the next seven days.
Split into two teams for the rest of the week, Spalding played three matches each against teams from across the West Indian island. Although they lost all six matches, they were by no means outclassed.
Notable performances throughout the week included a tour high score of 47 from Ryan Plant and exemplary bowling from Joe Lyon from the ‘A’ team. The top ‘B’ team performances saw excellent wicket-keeping from Luke Barnes and strong leadership by captain Harry Wilkinson-Roberts.
But ‘man-of-the-week’ was awarded to Tom Smith for his overall efforts and application both on and off of the field throughout the tour. He said: “The tour was an absolutely amazing experience, something I would recommend to everyone. Playing cricket out there was a once in a life time opportunity that I will never forget. It was worth every penny and more.
“The people of Barbados were so kind and helpful. If I could go again tomorrow, I would. I will never forget it and neither will anyone else who went. It was awesome.”
The Grammar’s PE department are now looking to plan another tour in the future – and would like to extend their thanks to the sponsors M&C Graphic Design, The Burdens Group, Duckworth Land Rover Boston and Rix Petroleum Spalding. They helped fund kits and equipment for the tour, which made it such a success.