Over the term holidays, three OGHS students: Rowan Wilson, Jorja Hobbs and Emily Aubin- participated in the R66T Dubai Cup as part of the South Island Girls Invitational Team. 

The below article and photographs were kindly provided by Melissa Purnell, Emily's mum.

'It was straight off the plane and into a training session at Dubai College on arrival at Dubai. Then it was a cricket game per day for the next four days in a row in the R66T Dubai Cup in 30+ degree heat. Three round robin games at the Dubai Sevens ground and a final at the ICC cricket academy. The team had wins over both of the English teams from Royal Hospital School (won by 9 wickets) and Seven Oaks School (won by 76 runs). There was one loss to the talented local Desert Vipers team from Dubai containing UAE academy players (loss by 4 wickets). The final brought a rematch between the South Island team and the Desert Vipers with our girls' playing valiantly but in the end falling 29 runs short. There were lots of spin bowlers in this team so that was an experience for our girls. A silver medal was still something to be very proud of at the inaugural R66T Dubai Cup. In Dubai there was some sightseeing to the Burj Khalifa, shopping at the souks and Dubai Mall, an evening desert safari with dune bashing and camel riding plus a waterpark day. There was also an opportunity to hang out with two international cricket teams training in Dubai at the sevens stadium, Scotland and the West Indies.

Then it was on to Abu Dhabi for a T20 and T10 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) women's team where it was a win a piece. The girls also got to visit the massive roller coaster theme park, Ferrari World. The day after their cricket games the biggest rainfall of at least 75 years hit Dubai causing major travel disruption to the cricket team at others attempting to travel back to New Zealand. This resulted in wet luggage from the bus driving through flood waters from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and a night sleeping on the floor at Dubai airport due to a flight that kept getting delayed until eventually getting cancelled. After an extra night in a hotel, the girls finally made it home.

Rowan Wilson was the top wicket taker of the South Island team taking 7 in total with best bowling figures of 3 wickets for 3 runs off 2 overs against Seven Oaks School. This was only one less than the top tournament wicket taker. Rowan really enjoyed finally getting together as the South Island team, playing cricket and hanging out with them. Plus having new connections with the girls from the other teams especially the UK school teams. She felt that Kirsty Bond's coaching was very positive and she along with manager Amanda Hardy created an amazing environment to grow and learn in.

Emily Aubin's top scored for the team in the T20 game against the UAE ladies retiring not out on 26, scoring a 6 during that innings. Another highlight was a high and fast moving catch she took against the Desert Vipers from Rowan's bowling. Emily loved being able to go to a foreign country to play sport and work with an amazing female coach and manager. Having the experience of playing at different stadiums and against players from other countries was also a highlight.

Jorja Hobbs performed well under the helmet in that 30+ degree heat as a wicket keeper and while batting made the most sensational dive for the line to avoid a run out only to get up straight back up and run two more runs! What Jorja loved most about the trip was playing at the ICC cricket stadium and meeting and having dinner with the English teams. The best part was making friends with the other South Island players, in particular the other wicket keepers.'