WHILE most local cricketers are looking in their wardrobe to dust off their equipment for another season, South Petherwin Cricket Club duo Taylor Gerry and Paul Clements have had a busy off-season touring South Africa.

Gerry was part of the Cornwall under 13s squad for their near two week trip in February where they took on the likes of St Stithians Prep School, Wynberg Junior School, Maragon School and St Johns in eight matches, five of which they won.

While he started off slowly with just 18 runs in his first two innings, Gerry soon got into his stride, making 47 and 38 not out against St Johns and Rondebosch Prepatory School before he saved his best for last making 104 not out of 108 balls with 14 fours.

In the end he ended with a stunning average of 69, having scored 207 runs across six innings.

On the bowling front he only sent down ten overs across the three matches but did manage a couple of wickets.

His grandad, Derek Clements, who also is the chairman of South Petherwin, was delighted with his achievements, saying: “Taylor did himself and the club proud. He went out with his parents and he was absolutely over the moon with the tour. Everything went well out there, he showed everyone what he can do and he can hopefully now take that into the season here. He plays his junior cricket out at Werrington and his adult cricket with our second team so I hope he continues where he left off.”

Gerry wasn’t the only family member to make the trip to South Africa this winter.

His uncle Paul, whose played in County One for Luckett and now plays for South Petherwin’s first team, was part of an England Counties over 50s team who’ve been based in the Western Province from March 17 to March 29.

Two representative sides, forming the best over 50s players in the North and South of the country were selected with Clements and Truro’s Ian Bishop getting their opportunity after a couple of late withdrawals.

However, with it being a once in a lifetime opportunity, the Cornwall over 50s all-rounder jetted off and took his first wicket in his first game.

See next week’s Post for a full summary of how he got on.