Day eight was yet another long drive to Rukara University which situated south east of Kigali. Once we arrived at the university we were told that it is to train young teachers in Rwanda. If we get it right here then surely CWB’s job would become easier in the up and coming years.
The coaching session started well, with us all arriving early to set up and the students ready and waiting. As everything was going to plan we thought we were in a different country, as so far things were going smoothly. We split the group up into two group’s one hard ball (experienced players) and the other, soft ball (beginners). The sessions all went well and we couldn’t believe what was happening.
At lunch we headed to a local shop to get a fruit flavoured drink and I treated myself to some chocolate which soon disappeared. Whilst we sat outside of the shop in shade, we began to get a bit of an audience with people passing on bikes waving and looking at what we were doing still riding forward just missing passersby.
After lunch we were to play our second tour match, and in the search of a new captain after the resignation of Ben. We all looked around if anyone would volunteer but just like in the club no one did. So with four years experience of captaincy I said I would do it.
We won the toss which was one up from yesterday and we decided to bat first, not wanting to field in the heat. A great opening partnership got us off to a great start with Ben and Brian both not getting out and putting on 40 runs off 4 overs. I brought them in to put the next two into bat. The run rate slowed down and so the batsmen where asked to kindly speed it up. Next ball Fred was bowled, so I went out with hit out mode, that doesn’t normally work but did this occasion. We finished on 81 for 7 after the 10 overs were up. After Ian’s star performance yesterday we opened up with him and Ben which got them down to 30-2 off four. With a tense last couple of overs with the help of wides and no balls from OUR umpire didn’t help matters. But needing 13 off the last over all we had to do was stop the boundary. We won in the end by 12 runs.
Today was a productive day all round from a coaching and playing part but also raising awareness of AIDS and HIV within the local community, due to the fact of a lot of spectators. Tomorrow is our day off and a trip to see the city better is planned and get a bit of shopping done too.
Cricket Without Boundaries