As you know we all arrived safely at Jolly Beach Resort and everyone is really enjoying themselves. The first thing we did when we arrived was to have a dip in the pool to refresh ourselves followed by an orientation tour then and early dinner and to bed. Everyone was tired as you can imagine.
Yesterday we had a couple of training sessions to help acclimatise. Our first was at 9.30am for a couple of hours at the Antiguan police ground and the other was at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at 3.30 for a couple of hours. Plenty of water was taken on board in both. In between these sessions we fitted in an Island tour where we had great views of the English Harbour and we visited the historic Nelson's Dockyard.
At the nets session in the afternoon we had a first. Kishan Radia bowled a great ball and hit the stumps and managed to break it in half! I look forward to seeing him bowl in today's match v Evergreen.
After all this activity you would think that the boys would be tired but they were up this morning to have breakfast at 6.45am and we were in the sea by 8am. maybe they will tire after today's game!
I have attached a few photos for you to enjoy.
I hope to be able to write tomorrow and attach some photos of today's game.
Goodbye for now from the 'Land of Sun and Sea'.
Mr Rice Mr Horne Mr Todd
NP V Evergreen
The match v Evergreen was a close run match. The team we played had a player we nicknamed 'The Blind Side' after the film staring Sandra Bullock. If you haven't seen it then you probably will not understand the terminology. I have attached a photo to help you understand.(He is only 14, they say!) We batted first and managed to score 140 with 63 runs being scored by Teshan and other valuable contributions by the rest of the team.
When they batted we started well with Chaneil getting a wicket early but that was the cue for The Blind Side to come in and bat. he hit the ball hard and with the other opener they really took control of the game and with 10 overs to go Evergreen looked as though they would win the match comfortably. It was then that we had a couple of important overs in which Thomas Beveridge bowled the Blind Side followed by Shakil bowled the other opener. Shakil then followed this up by running out the number 4 batsman. It was then evident that after these four batsman the batting was not as strong. With two overs to go Evergreen needed 8 runs to win and the crowd was tense (we did have a few spectators, a couple of which watched the whole match). The boys bowled well and kept it tight and eventually came out victorious by 7 runs. A fantastic start. Today we are playing the Technical Academy and tomorrow we are going on the Catermaran Cruise.
I will email again when there is the opportunity. Thank you.
Goodbye for now.
Mr Rice Mr Todd Mr Horne
Dear Parents,
Yesterday we played the Technical School in another close match. They won he toss
and elected to bat first. Their batsmen were a good standard and we did well to
restrict them to a final total of 120 runs after their allotted 25 overs.
We started well and kept a steady run rate of 4 an over for the first 10 overs without
the loss of a wicket. This was an excellent achievement as the opening batsmen,
Teshan and Sevir, faced some quick bowling and Sevir even experienced some 'chin
music', but managed to sway out of the way of it without any harm coming to him.
The West Indian crowd were very lively especially when the quick bowlers were on!
Unfortunately we were unable to build on this and we finished 17 runs short of our
goal. It was a good match but the boys experienced quick bowling and a little chat
form the opposition and the quick bowler stare occasionally. All a good learning
experience to build on for the next match.
In the evening there was a karaoke competition.
The boys sang a Michael Jackson song, very badly; so badly in fact they almost won
the worst singing of the evening! Oh, I have recorded some of it for you to hear
when we return!
Today, Monday we went on a catamaran cruise and snorkeled for a while and then swam
at a sandy beach. It was a relaxing day building up for tomorrows game at the Sir
Vivian Richards Stadium.
The weather has been warm but there have been the occasional severe downpours but
everyone is in good spirits.
best wishes from Antigua.
Mr Rice Mr Todd Mr Horne
Today Wednesday, has been a complete washout. It rained very heavily from the
early morning to the middle of the afternoon. We did visit the Recreation ground and saw where Sir Viv Richards was born but other
than that we have been at the hotel.
We are going to play at Sir
Vivian Richards Stadium tomorrow as it has covers and is supposed to
drain quicker. I hope so as the Recreation ground looked very
waterlogged. Picture attached is in front of the honour boards at the Rec.
Regards,
Mr Rice Mr Todd Mr Horne
Dear Parents,
Yesterday we managed to play a shortened match at the Antigua Recreation Ground.It was a good match and Kishan hit the first six of the tour. We bowled well, especially the spinners, to restrict the opposition to 60 runs in the 15 overs. We then managed to reach them with 5 wickets and 2 overs to spare.
As you have probably heard there has been severe disruption to flights due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. The good news is that the flight that we need to board to fly home is on its way to Antigua and the schedule tells us that we are due to take off on time. This of course could change and you will be informed if there is any change.
Regards,
Mr Rice
Thursday
Good news; we managed to win our final match by 18 runs and
therefore win the series 3 - 1. A fantastic achievement. On damp,sticky
wicket we managed to score 80 in the 20 overs with Sevir top scoring and
hitting a six. All the other batsman contributed well to the score.
The bowling was superb, especially the spinners. The West Indian bataman had
no answer to the spinners and at one stage were 29 for 6. Teshan bowled
fantastically again but the pick of the spinners was Sachin K who took 4
wickets and at one stage was on a hat trick. This was there best bowling
display by far.
As you all know there are severe disruptions to the flights to the UK. I am
in contact with the Tour Company who are working hard to keep me informed.
The Jolly Beach resort are posting regular updates from BA and the latest is
that we are to stay here until further notice.
Our flight number
is BA2156 to find out any details.
The boys are all in good spirit and enjoying the pool and playing pool and
table tennis. They have been a credit to the school and there have been many
compliments about there manners and behaviour.
I will update the school and when possible all of you via email to let you
know the latest.
Regards from sunny Antigua.
Mr Rice
UPDATE SATURDAY
Dear Parents,
At the moment the BA site is stating that all British Airways flights to and from London airports are cancelled today, 16th April, and on Saturday 17 April. If there is any change to this I will let you know.
Today the boys have been in the pool and enjoyed all the other activities; some even participated in aqua aerobics! We will be staying at the Jolly Beach until we are told otherwise by BA. Tomorrow we might even arrange a cricket match against another Prep School form Surrey who are also waiting for the BA flight.
Best wishes from Antigua.
Mr Rice
Sunday
Dear Parents,
The update is the same as yesterday and we await news of when flights will resume, our tour company, are doing everything in their power to help with this highly unusual situation. I will hear more from them tomorrow and let you know what is happening.
The boys are really enjoying themselves and yesterday played some football and volleyball on the beach, pictures attached. We have also started a pool and table tennis competition for them. They all love the swimming pool and spend most of the day in there. Some are also doing the revision they brought over with them.
We intend to play the other Prep school, Parkside, who are staying here at the Jolly Beach tomorrow, weather permitting. It has been showery but very warm over here so the pitches do not have time to dry out. We hope that tomorrow will be different. We have decided that the match should be played for the 'Volcanic Ashes' which could possibly become an annual event(not the volcano erupting) between the schools as they are only based in Surrey.
Thank you for your understanding in how we are handling everything and really rest assured the boys are having a great time and are healthy.
Regards
Mr Rice
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your support. I assure you that every effort and mode of transport has been explored and I have been talking to BA in Antigua and have asked them to make the group a priority. All we can all do is wait until some sort of normality resumes.
We played a match yesterday against Parkside at the recreation ground. Unfortunately we lost but we did have the pleasure of meeting Curtly Ambrose.
Today we are off to the Sir Viv Richards Stadium to play a day/night game probably with a white ball. A new experience for them.
I am glad that you had positive phone calls with you boys and please arrange times to contact them around 10am our time is usually vey good. (3pm UK time). will email tomorrow with more photos and news.
Regards,
Mr Rice
Wednesday 21st
Dear Parents,
Yesterday we played a day/night match at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium. This was a first for everyone involved and played with a white ball.
It was fantastic and a wonderful experience for all the boys. The opposition were resticted to 78 on a fantastic wicket and perfect outfield by some good tight bowling.We managed to win the match by 5 wickets with 3 overs to spare. I have attached some photos. Please excuse the brief reports now.
Again rest assured that we are doing all that we can to come home at an earlier date. If anyone knows Willie Walsh please ask him to send extra planes out o assist!
Regards,
Mr Rice
The match v Evergreen was a close run match. The team we played had a player we nicknamed 'The Blind Side' after the film staring Sandra Bullock. If you haven't seen it then you probably will not understand the terminology. I have attached a photo to help you understand.(He is only 14, they say!) We batted first and managed to score 140 with 63 runs being scored by Teshan and other valuable contributions by the rest of the team. 
