Our last day of coaching and what a way to finish. We returned to the Kigali Oval for a morning session with Aimees Des Enfants which lasted 90 minutes and saw six games of kwik cricket take place on the dusty surroundings of the national ground.
The main event though took place in the afternoon as we had organized a competitive game of Twenty 20 cricket for the pupils of Kigarama and Aprede….. One of the common complaints we have heard from those involved with Rwandan cricket is that there is a lack of competitive matches between schools so this was a great opportunity to see the benefits of CWB coaching in action.
Both teams took it very seriously and it was clear that Kigarama especially were something of a crack unit. Led by the impressive Francis who opened the batting and scored 44, it was very satisfying to see the batting side running between the wickets and calling superbly.
Kagarama finished on 107 – 3 off their 15 overs with Tito weighing in with a flashy 33*. It was always going to be too much for Aprede but they had a good start with opening bat Didier looking the part.
Sadly though a middle order collapse worthy of England in the early nineties reduced the score to 24 for 8 in the seventh over, thanks mainly due to the off spin of Theo (who was called ‘Walcott’ by all his teammates!) and Kenneth who took two wickets for just two runs. Eventually Aprede were all out for 39 and we treated by a unique celebration led by the ever enthusiastic Tito (check out the video!).
It was brilliant to finish with a contest like this and as I totted up the scores I couldn’t help think how far cricket has come in Rwanda. Long may it continue…
6 comments
Mike says:
Mar 19, 2012
A wonderful end to an amazing trip. Many thanks to the Rwanda Spring 2012 group for re-living your stories through the blogs.
Mike says:
Mar 19, 2012
My only disappointment was that Richard’s unique bowling demo. was yet again not filmed or perhaps it was and then edited out by the group leader who is……Richard! There’s always a next time.
CWB says:
Mar 19, 2012
Cheers Mike, sad to report that Rich’s bowling demo’s now come complete with standing up in the follow through. Are you planning on a Rwandan return in the Autumn?
Mike says:
Mar 19, 2012
So yet another unique action (think of Jeff Thompson, Mike Proctor etc…) is lost in the annuls of history! If health and fitness prevail I plan to be available for the Autumn project. Have to get through a sixty match programme first as groundsman! The Spring project blogs have really whetted my appetite for a return.
Oli Broom says:
Mar 19, 2012
looks like you’re doing amazing work and the brilliant pictures make me want to be back in Kigali…! Well done – next year I hope you’ll have a great new ground to coach at.
Paul Rowe says:
Mar 22, 2012
Having been in Rwanda a year ago spending time coaching on the adjacent dust bowl and wondering whether the “National Cricket Centre” would ever look like one it is great to see cricket being played on it – mat and all! Well done to all.