Brentwood School enjoyed a triumphant return to Barbados after the success of their U15 team tour in 2006. This time around it was a chance for some of their South of England Essex cricketers to gain experience in the hot sun and fast flat pitches of this idyllic island. With eight tough fixtures including Pheonix, Combermere, Queens, Wanderers, Passage Road and YMPC (home club of Fidel Edwards) there were some stern cricketing challenges ahead.

Our opening two games saw a last over loss to Pheonix where, despite a lusty quick fire twenty from Henry Nation, the rust of six winter months away from match practice took its toll in the heat . However a six wicket win against the illustrious Wanderers saw leg spinners James Bowler and Rehan Hassan share nine wickets between them. The tight itinerary took the team, the next day, to Combermere, one of the strongest cricketing schools on the Island.

Winning the toss in the heat was crucial and it was not long before Mark Baldock continued his prolific form of last season. In the run up to the Bunbury U13 final Mark accumulated eight school and county centuries including a hundred to win the final against Michael Atherton's old school Manchester Grammar. So it was not surprising when he opened his account with 129 versus Combermere in our third game with a blistering attack on their bowling in a forty over game for a team score of 276 for 3. Combermere were pinned down by the leg spin of Rehan Hassan, another South of England player, with figures of 3 for16 from 6 over's. Rehan also contributed a patient 51 with the bat. Jonathan ‘the ratcatcher' Matheison mopped up the tale with a return of 3 for 1 from 2 over's of flighted leg spin.

The team batting form continued when the school accumulated 272 for 3 against Passage Road, another club with an illustrious history. Again Rehan Hassan was the pivot with 87 but this was surpassed by a blistering 99 from Kishen Velani(South of England) with shots all around the ground. Again slower bowling closed out the game as Rehan Hassan bowled his leg spin with 2 for 32 off 5 over's and Chippy Carpenter returned 3 for 28 from 5 over's.

A dogged 40 runs for Rehan Hassan and some outstanding fielding from Louis Grainger saw out a draw versus YMPC as the home side saw a slow over rate eat up the fading light. The following day the same bat had a good all round day with 56 for a team total of 241 for 7 where James Welham and Kishen Velani added valuable scores of 30 a piece. Rehan's contribution continued with the ball for a return of 3 for 7 from 7 over's. A low scoring game against Queens College was followed by a sparkling performance against Harvey Grammar School U17's from Folkstone. The Grammar school had lost several host games to the showery weather and requested a game on our final full day on the Island. Winning the toss on a blisteringly hot day the school chose to bat despite the experience of our opponents. On a surface that shone in the sun Mark Baldock confirmed his pedigree with a pinch hitting opening salvo of 66 in the first 15 overs. A steady 39 from James Welham was followed by a stylish 77 not out from Kishen Velani for a surprising team total of 272 for 5. The heat took its toll of the opposition as they were restricted to a reply which was 66 runs short. Ben Patterson bowled quickly and accurately at the start as he had done over the tour. James Bowler with his leg spin returned 3 for 34 from 7 over's and Jonathan Mowll snapped up 2 for 34 from his opening spell. Despite the age gap superior technique won the day to round off a superb tour.

Throughout the tour the spinners ruled despite some fiery opening spells from Ben Pattterson and some accurate seam from Amrit Vistvanathan and Luke Turner. Keepers Mark Baldock and Alex Waltham always ensured that the spinners were rewarded for their craft with some deft glove work. In the field Ian Stewart, Louis Grainger and Captain James Welham always kept pressure on the batsmen with outstanding ground fielding.

There was little time in between the practice and cricket. However, a day swimming with turtles; an island safari and some golf at the Barbados golf club crowned a glorious two weeks where the hospitality and friendliness of our hosts added to the enjoyment.