Boys from The John Lyon School are celebrating after a string of victories in their first-ever joint football and cricket sports tour of South Africa.

Pupils from the independent School in Harrow have gone on tour to South Africa once every two years since 2000, but have never before played both the School’s main sports on the same tour.

Following months of planning, practices and preparation, 40 Year 9 & 10 boys, accompanied by four staff members, went on the 16-day trip, with each age group playing four football and four cricket matches. They won 12 of the 16 matches.

Headmaster Kevin Riley said: “Such tours give boys memories and experiences that last a lifetime. Everyone who went on this one has come back full of enthusiasm – and of course it is very encouraging that our boys were so successful in both sports so far away from home.”

Arriving to glorious sunshine in Cape Town, they played four cricket matches and four soccer matches against respected local clubs, ending up with three wins in the cricket and two wins and a draw in the football. They also found time to visit attractions and sites of interest, including Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held captive.

Leaving Cape Town, they travelled the scenic Garden Route to Knsyna where the U14s and U15s convincingly won their football matches in very hot conditions. The U15s continued their success in the cricket, winning by 39, but the U14s lost, despite a strong innings of 40 runs by Year 9 boy Rishi Kotecha. Continuing along the Garden Route, they reached Port Elizabeth and won their final two cricket and football matches. The tour finished with a two-day stay at Kariega Game Reserve.

PE teacher Arthur Brammer, who was among the staff on the trip, said: “This was a hugely successful enjoyable tour in which the boys experienced so many different things, meeting people from a variety of social backgrounds and making new friends.”

Click here to view further photos and teacher Ian Parker's report of the tour.

Issued on behalf of The John Lyon School by Edge Media

MEDIA CONTACTS: Paul Herbert at Edge Media on 01453 544900 / 07957 864875