Friday September 10 2010

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2008 South Africa Tour

Here follows the account of our tour to South Africa from which we have now returned safe and sound.

Before you read this I would like to extend my personal thanks to everyone involved in making this tour possible. In my capacity as Tour Manager, it would not have been possible to go on tour without the help and support of the fundraising team and parents of the Saracens Under 17's 2007/2008 and furthermore the fantastic assistance of all the supporting party whilst on tour - Phil Norman - Head Coach, Phil Kitchen & Paul Kelly - Coaches, Maxine Norman and Rory our superb Mascot, Buta & Kuldip Kalirai, Carolyn Branson assisted by Tari, Nick Bullmore, and my husband Bill Colley.

To our team who fought hard in difficult matches, sustaining many injuries but never giving up the fight - we hope that you enjoyed yourselves and that this has truly been a life changing experience for you and wish you all the success for the future in whatever you chose to do - we hope to see you back at Sarries and certainly for some post tour festivities.

Last but not least my thanks to Mike Williams and Peter Churchil at Intourworld Sport with their superb itinerary and assistance throughout.

Once again - my thanks to you all

More photos are being put up in the gallery for everyone to see and we wish all future Sarries tours to South Africa a great tour - we are sure you will have as good a time as we did.

Naomi Colley

Tour Manager - Chief Cook & Bottle Washer and holder of the WOODEN SPOON!

DAY 1 - SUNDAY 27TH JULY - JO'BERG AIRPORT

Well here we are at Jo'berg airport and all present and correct. The boys were great on the flight and some good fun whilst wearing the Saracens kit with pride (even getting an announcement from the SAA staff wishing the boys good luck on their tour).

The Yellow T Shirt, very aptly worn by Taylor as we left, has now been passed to Andrew Stredwick for mislaying his passport on the plane! Fortunately all was resolved very quickly.

We are now checked in and sitting in the domestic departures lounge waiting for our 11am flight. The boys have just tucked into wimpy and chips (apparently breakfast on the plane a little over an hour ago wasn't enough!).

Later that day ..... Arrival at Durban and Umdloti

After an uneventful short flight from Jo’burg to Durban we were transferred to Umdloti by our coach driver Abdul, who also took last year’s tour and will be assisting us during our time in Durban and the surrounding area. The boys quickly discovered a number of things upon arrival – the pool, the sea and of course the bar! The coaches and supporters naturally decided they had to supervise all bar activities. Buta, Kuldip and Paul, ever watchful over the boys, decided that when the rest of us went back to our rooms for a rest and change of clothes, that they should stay with the boys just in case any assistance was needed. When we arrived back we were told that Kuldip had been adopted as Tour Mum, however the boys were not quite sure that her efforts at Karaoke were all that, whilst Buta and Paul were trying to take on all the boys at Pool!

We were all exhausted and the boys ate early, with most of them leaving to get an early night. Meanwhile…….the supporters ate their dinner in peace only to find less than an hour later that the majority of the boys had returned. Quote from Tom Hollister “I was exhausted and decided that it was time for bed as it was so late. I thought it was 3am but when I got back to the room I realised it was actually on just 9pm so I have returned!” …… at midnight Tom and his motley crew were still going strong when we all retired! Who’s kid is this anyway???

DAY 2 - Monday 28^th July - Natal Sharks Training

Breakfast was at Nino’s overlooking the Indian Ocean. The mere mention of the word “Full English” brought most of the boys to the breakfast table, with a few (Matt K and Andrew B) being served by the skin of their teeth. Others turned away because they were too late (Trevor) and others that never quite made it down (Tyson and Sam).

Everyone had their stories to tell and at least three people had gone against Hotel recommendations and had left their windows open only to have the wild monkeys come inside and play havoc! Sugar and sweets all over the room…,they learned their lesson the hard way (Funny how both Paul and Sam Kelly– both in different rooms suffered the same fate!)

A quick dip in the sea and down to the serious business of getting prepared for tomorrow’s match. A team talk from the coaches followed by the afternoon’s training at the Natal Sharks. An exhilarating afternoon from which they are all exhausted.

A braai (Barbeque) at the hotel ended the evening with the boys taking it steady because of their big day ahead of them tomorrow.

DAY 3 – TUESDAY 29^TH JULY – MATCH DAY ONE

A chilled start to the day with the team having some time to relax in the morning, a dip in the sea, a leisurely breakfast and check out of the hotel. Late morning we moved off to the Gateway Shopping Mall (largest mall in the southern hemisphere) and everyone had a few hours there. Great bit of shopping for the girls, and great time for the boys being that the mall also contained climbing walls, go karting etc, although not enough time to partake in any lengthy activities.

At 3pm we left the mall for Durban High School’s ground arriving there to find a large party of two teams from the Cardiff Rugby Academy – unusual as it may seem but the Welsh were very keen to support us and we them too! Both their sides had convincing wins against the under 15 and under 16 Durban High School squads.

Our turn came at 6.15 on a floodlit pitch, a first for many of our boys. The match started well and at a tremendous pace with both sides being evenly matched although the DHS 1^st IV boys were slightly older than our team. Half time saw the scores at 7 – 5 to DHS and we really saw ourselves in with a good chance, a great try having been scored in the first half by Andrew Stredwick.

Unfortunately the second half started off with two injuries in Connor Reddington (ankle) and Rob Conquest (shoulder), with both players having to be substituted and our formation was severely affected. Durban High School took full advantage and scored heavily putting five quick tries and conversions on the board.

This major setback brought out the true fighting spirit of our team and in the next passage of play the Saracens regrouped and started winning some decent ball. In the last ten minutes of the second half Saracens put another score on the board with a great try from Ryan Griffin. DHS responded with the last score of the game and were victors on the evening. The final score of 50 – 10 did not reflect the quality of our team’s performance and DHS certainly new they had been in a very tough and physical game. The boys played with great heart throughout the match and were a credit to the Saracens logo.

Post match was enjoyed by everyone with a Braai in the grounds of the sports centre, where one again Buta donned the chefs hat and cooked for us all. The boys disappeared with their billets, nursing various injuries and in possession of some fairly smelly washing, leaving the supporters to finish their food and return to the hotel.

DAY 4 – Wednesday July 30^th

We met up with the boys and made sure they were rested and recovered from the day before – Connor R’s foot had made a miraculous recovery thanks to the lady of his billet house providing a foot massage for him.

The day started with a trip back to the Natal Sharks stadium for a tour of the facilities – a fantastic stadium on par with the facilities at Twickenham. Everyone was really impressed to hear that a season ticket there cost £40 for the whole season!

We then made our way to UShaka water park for some serious fun on water slides, under water in the shark cages and topping it off with the dolphin show where two of our boys, Taylor and Oli were chosen to partake in the show. Oli flew the flag brilliantly on behalf of the Sarries whilst Taylor decided to reveal parts of his body on the large live feed screen. Those were the parts of his body that only his mother, girlfriend or medical practitioner should see!

The boys returned to their billets for a night out on the town in Durban whilst the supporting party went to the local casino to try their luck (or not as the case may be!).

DAY 5 – Thursday 31^st July

A leisurely breakfast overlooking the ocean for the supporters whilst the boys came and joined us to stock up on food supplies and tell their tales of the night before! We then set off with a quick bank stop into the real Africa. Little children running along side the bus, rolling hills and orange groves. We arrived at Shakaland mid afternoon – greeted at the bus by the zulu staff in full dress and quickly transferred to our accommodation. This was the “real deal” mud huts, goats and other wild animals roaming around and an authentic zulu village where we heard the story of King Shaka overlooking the Phobane lake and dam. Dinner followed and then chill out time in the bar and around the campfire – complete with scorpions! (thank goodness we missed the snakes – we were only told about them after the event!!!). There were some lovely little girls from Saffron Walden, some of whom knew Rob Conquest so friends were quickly made and naturally our boys were the ultimate gentlemen and they went to bed just as they were told to do so at 10pm….. at 2am in the morning however, Hut No. 5, after having various body parts waxed (Thank you Taylor) and Huts Nos 1 – 4 still roaming around the grounds – Big Phil the Guvna decided to do a little babysitting and finally we went to bed!!!!

They say what goes on tour stays on tour, but Alex Casey’s Sparkly Silver Thong was a real hit with the little girls and particularly their teachers!

DAY 6 – Friday 1^st August – MATCH DAY 2 – RICHARDS BAY SCHOOL & KEIRAN’S BIRTHDAY!

After enjoying the second part of our cultural show (the spear throwing!) we set off to Richards Bay on the quietest journey yet (please understand that this was purely pre-match preparation and nothing to do with hangovers and lack of sleep).

Just as we departed Shakaland it was time to give Keiran his birthday card and present, signed by everyone (although some of the boys decided to write essays on the little card leaving others barely any room to sign their names).

We arrived at Richards Bay School to a huge Afrikaans welcome by our hosts and a wonderful atmosphere as our boys started the match which was held in windy conditions but at a lower temperature than the previous game. As different to the match against DHS, the referee was adamant that the game would be played under all the new ELVs, including the bringing down of the maul, but in the event this made little difference.

The boys came out firing and dominated the first half. Good line breaks were made several times. Unfortunately the gain made was often lost due to a lack of support, the Richards Bay players being very good at getting to their feet and stealing the ball after the tackle to set up counter attacks. Saracens defended very well on those occasions. We went ahead after a long period of attack, settling for 3 points from a penalty given for offside, the kick well taken by Andrew Stredwick. Richards Bay came back and scored a soft try after the ball was dropped in the process of running it out from our 22. The boys rallied well and after sustained pressure Matt Steele went over in the corner to make the score 7 – 8 to Sarries at half time.

The second half was played into the wind and the boys reacted well, keeping the ball tight and using the occasional well drilled low kick to gain territory. On a rare excursion into our 22 Richards Bay were awarded a penalty which they took to make the score 10 – 8. It was Saracens turn to come back now and they hammered away at the opposition line spending good periods of time in the 22. Richards Bay defended well and Saracens couldn’t quite find the final pass to round off our attacks. Richards Bay relieved the pressure and then worked a very good lineout move inside our 22 to go over and make the score 15 – 8. Despite the boys exerting pressure for the final minutes we couldn’t penetrate the Richards Bay defence and the game ended with the score unchanged.

Awards were made by Richards Bay to Matt Steele as Best Forward and Taylor Shaw as Best Back.

Our hosts were fantastic – a huge braai with stacks of food and lots of shirt swapping followed, together with the end of match speeches and the presentation of a huge and fantastic Trophy to Sarries from the school (we are still arguing as to who is going to get the short straw and carry it home in their luggage!!!). The boys were then allocated out to their Billets at which time we realised how useful it is to have Taylor on tour with because he’s done it all before and can help us with various pieces of information along the way….the information that seemed to hold most of the boys interest today was the fact that they would be billeted out with girls!! Taylor’s billet wasted no time at all advising her teacher that she knew him from last year and would definitely have him (again!)!!! I do hope that Judi is Ok about the fact that Connor Reddington and Matt K went off with a little girl who had offered her family’s services to the school!!! More news on this tomorrow – us supporters have returned home for some serious R&R in La Rochelle Inn and the first internet connection for days where we can update the website and upload some of the many photos.

DAY 7 – Saturday 2nd August - ST LUCIA CRUISE & HLUHLUWE GAME PARK

A morning with time for a leisurely breakfast!! We all met up at the school to get the team back on the coach, some (noisy) farewells to the hosts at Richards Bay – who were fantastic, and after spending a little time sorting out some lost luggage we were on our way. By midday we had arrived at St Lucia with a quick stop for lunch and back on the coach to meet our river cruise – hippos, crocs and several rare birds (of the animal type! Not the ones being chatted up by several of the boys on the lower deck of the boat!). A further ride brought us to the Game Park where we were met by several warthogs at the gate. It took us almost an hour to reach the lodge as we stopped for several rhinos, elephants, impala and zebra on the way. A scramble to get the rooms sorted as night fell and no one quite knew where it was they were walking or what might be following them in the bushes! After dinner the supporters turned in for the night but it was the Norman’s who drew the short straw this time as their accommodation was amongst the players accommodation. They all seemed to get a second wind and the partying started in earnest again!

DAY 8 –Sunday 3rd August - HLUHLUWE GAME PARK

Nearly everyone joined us at the 6am starting point, some slept the whole way around the game drive and others enjoyed the animals whilst we went in search of the big 5. The cats were not, however, anywhere to be seen so hopefully the afternoon game drive is going to be a little more fruitful. An exciting (and frightening) stand off with a Rhino and two Land Rovers towards the end of our 3 hour trek followed by a welcomed warm breakfast and several hours of R&R for the first time in a few days.

At 5pm, in the pouring rain, complete with high fashion wet look ponchos we set off in the safari trucks and were soon cold and wet and beginning to feel quite miserable. But 2 hours later one of our trucks spotted two leopards – quite an achievement – thus making 4 out of the big five having been spotted. We returned for some warm food before going off to pack bags ready for our flight to cape town the following day.

DAY 9 – Monday 4th August - DURBAN TO CAPE TOWN

Well done to Buta for spotting the two lions on the way out of the park making the big five spotting well and truly complete! After a long drive to Durban airport and two hour flight to Cape Town and another coach ride we arrived in Somerset West and the Erinvale Spa Hotel – the most beautiful hotel we have stayed in. Four star, luxurious with a wonderful spa, beautiful grounds (and some rather noisy bird life!). A delicious meal, some wonderful cape wines and then a chill out around the fire place before retiring to bed – with the boys getting an early night in time for their big match tomorrow.

DAY 10 – Tuesday 5^th August Match day 3 – SACS

A vey leisurely start after a very good night’s rest with the boys preparing themselves for the match in the afternoon. After a light lunch we left Erinvale for the amazing location of Sacs school with a sunlit table mountain in the background. Unfortunately the location and the match preparation did not help us to overcome several team injuries leaving us somewhat depleted in terms of substitutes and the match was lost to a very strong first team of SACS boys. However the loss did not dampen the after match hospitality and whilst the boys enjoyed a steak or two over the barbeque, the parents and supporters were very well looked after by the teaching staff and billet host parents. The boys left the school with their billets whilst the supporters returned to check in to their new hotel.

DAY 11 – Wednesday 6^th August

After a very early start for all, a quick visit to SACS to collect the boys and say our farewells we headed off in the direction of the winelands. Franschoek and Stellenbosch, two delightful towns where we had a chance to wander the little boutiques, sample some of the local wine before returning to cape town. Being such a glorious day with not a cloud in the sky we decided at the last minute to grab the opportunity to do our trip our Table Mountain. We quickly ascended the cable car to be met by some truly wonderful scenery where yet more photos were taken. Returning back to the hotel with the team a coach was organised to take everyone down to the waterfront for dinner.

DAY 12 – Thursday 7^th August

The day started with our trip to Robben Island which left us all in a fairly sombre mood after being shown around the maximum security prison by a former political prisoner inmate. We returned to the mainland just after 2pm, where we checked into our hotel near the Waterfront where everyone had a well earned afternoon and evening off.

DAY 13 – Friday 8^th August – MATCH DAY 4

A leisurely start to the day with a visit to the Waterfront with our departure from the hotel for Kasselsvlei school just after midday. As we entered the school grounds it became abundantly clear to us just how important the relationship is between Kasselsvlei and Saracens. We were greeted by Ronald Bantom and his team of staff as well as their team and loads of children all eager to meet us, have their photos taken with us and also try their hand at some rugby tackles on our boys (and Nick Bullmore!). As our boys trained they were followed around the pitch by the children and by the time the match started a huge crowd of adults as well as the children had amassed. Despite our injuries our boys made a fantastic effort and pitched up with a full team, ready for action. An excellent game was played by Sarries and although we lost (we scored two tries with one conversion) the atmosphere for this special visit to Kassies was fantastic. After the match we were invited into the school hall which had been decorated for a function the previous evening and was still draped in material which they had thoughtfully and purposely decked in black red and white! We felt very much at home and proceeded to the post match presentations and formalities. Andrew Stredwick was presented with the Sarries man of the match by Kassies, an exchange of gifts between the two sides as well as a donation from our team to Kassies to assist their efforts in fundraising for their teams. A surprise presentation to Naomi & Bill followed with presents and cards from the whole touring party on the occasion of their wedding anniversary (something they had tried to keep quiet!). A couple of further speeches led to the conclusion of the formalities and the post match Lamb Braai – enjoyed by all. At 7.30pm we climbed onto the coach tired, but exhilarated! Many of our boys came away without their kit as they were stripped (literally) by the children of their kit, socks and even some of their footwear! A truly wonderful experience and great afternoon was had by all.

DAY 14 – SATURDAY 9^TH AUGUST 2008

Our last full day of touring saw a somewhat depleted party joining in our plans. 20 of us climbed aboard the coach for our first stop – a boat ride to a seal island. Unfortunately the sea was rough – very rough! Whilst we couldn’t go out to the island because of the weather they still took us out of the harbour whilst we all clutched our little white plastic bags! Fortunately we all returned in one piece and headed off down the coast towards Boulders Bay to go and see the Pengiuns (Just for Tom!). Penguins everywhere! Back on the coach and the final part of our day at Cape of Good Hope. We all sat down for lunch overlooking the cliffs followed by a trek up the top of the cliffs to view the two oceans coming together. Michael Andrew B & Matt K set off down the cliffs to walk down to the Official Cape of good Hope – the southernmost point of Africa whilst the rest of us joined them in the coach at the bottom a while later.

Our final evening together was spent in style when we all went to Krugmans for dinner – we were given a separate dining room and the boys tucked in to steaks, burgers and ribs as well as enjoying a few beers. The evening finished off at Mitchells pub where the enjoyment carried on late into the night.

DAY 15 – SUNDAY 10^TH AUGUST 2008

We are all packed and ready to come home. Bags are held in a storeroom in the hotel and we have a few more hour’s free time to enjoy the sunshine of Cape Town which, even in mid winter is warmer than it is in the UK today.

We have had a great tour and whilst none of us relish the long slog home, we are looking forward to getting home.

A huge thank you to the parents – particularly Clare, Judi, Jo and Chris – and all the fundraising efforts – the boys have truly had a great time and we have been able to cover their costs as well as let them enjoy a couple of meals and a few beers with us……

Sorry that we have not been able to keep the diary up as regular as possible – the lack of internet connection and lack of signal strength when we did have a connection has simply not allowed us to upload photos and diary. We literally have 1,000’s of photos which we have pooled and hope to share with all the tourers and their families very soon.

See you at Bramley Road in the morning