Eastern Province U19 skipper Tristan Stubbs had, in his own estimation, a poor Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in Johannesburg last year while his team, Eastern Province, had a good one.

‘I was the new guy in the team and I didn’t use all my opportunities, but the team did well,’ said Stubbs. ‘We won five of our six games and beat some big teams.’

Stubbs will get the chance to make amends at the 2018 week in Cape Town from December 16 to 20, this time as captain of the Eastern Province team.

‘I’ll be looking to make some runs this time, but I am also determined to lead the team to a successful week,’ he said. ‘We have a young side – only three of last year’s players are back – but there are a lot of very talented players in the side and we have gone well in the warm-up games.’

Stubbs captained Port Elizabeth’s Grey High School to one of the most successful seasons for the school in recent years. They lost just four games out of 36 and ended up as the fourth-ranked team in the country.

Personally, he had a good year for the team.

‘I made a lot of runs and had a decent average.’ he said. ‘I was consistent, getting 50 or more in just about every game. The problem, though, was that I was never able to convert any of those half-centuries to a ton. That’s something I’ll be hoping to do in Cape Town next week.’

Tristan will be staying in Port Elizabeth next year. He’s going to be studying at NMMU and has been included in the Warriors Academy setup.

‘I’m hoping to make the Warriors Cubs team and then to establish myself at the province,’ he said.

Before then, a good performance for EP in Cape Town is his priority.

The three players in the team that are back for this year’s Khaya Majola Week are Stubbs, Tiaan van Vuuren and Alexander Draai.

Eastern Province U19
Mark Amm (Graeme College)
Kamva Dyakala (Woodridge)
Bavu Manyakanyaka (Graeme College)
Luke Beaufort (Grey)
Tristan Stubbs (Grey)
Nicholas Fowler (Grey)
LJ du Preez (Grey)
Heinrich Leighbrandt (Daniel Pienaar)
Alexander Draai (Daniel Pienaar)
Ethan Frosler (Pearson)
Tiaan van Vuuren (Grey)
Siyathemba Mdlankomo (Muir)
Siphesishle Madlongolwana (Graeme)
Coach: Andre du Plessis
Asst coach: Corbyn Dolley
Manager: Richard Dolley

Picture: Grey High School Website