MCC ventured to one of its reciprocal clubs, Singapore Cricket Club, in April to compete in a multi-sport tour. What followed was a week of close, friendly competition and first-class hospitality.

The two clubs have competed many times since the XXIX Club first travelled to Singapore in 1969. Cricket, golf and bowls have been the most prevalent sports played between the two clubs.

A touring party of 87 players, partners and club officials arrived in Singapore to play a series of cricket, golf, hockey, netball, squash and tennis matches.

In each of those sports there was an ‘official/trophy’ match, as well as ‘social’ matches, with SCC using their home ground advantage to outpoint us in the majority of contests.

Our cricketers included a mix of players from our Premier club – ranging from first to fourth eleven experience – as well as MCC Club XI players, MCC members from other Premier clubs, past MCC players and some members currently residing in Singapore.

Singapore won the 50-over trophy match comfortably, chasing down our 146 total with seven wickets and plenty of overs to spare. We did, however, save some face by securing a tie in the social match, thanks to a run out on the last ball.

Our golfers enjoyed two social matches, at Raffles Country Club and Jurong Country Club, with the trophy match played in between at the challenging Seletar Country Club in hot and humid conditions. There were 40 players in the stableford competition, with the final result a draw with both clubs on 135 points apiece.

On the squash court, MCC triumphed in the trophy contest by six matches to five, while the tennis “trophy” match was won easily by the hosts, seven sets to one.

On the hockey pitch, whether artificial or grass, we squared the contest at one match each, losing the trophy match 11-2 during a severe downpour before winning the social match 4-3.

Despite the unfamiliar humidity, our netball trophy team (comprising players from the club’s two Premier teams) proved too strong for our hosts, winning 63-14. This was followed by a social game that also resulted in an MCC victory, 38 goals to 17.

Tori Walker and Nicky Lock were adjudged most valuable players in the trophy match, while Jess Sewell’s outstanding defence saw her awarded best afield honours in the social encounter.  A further two netball social matches were played later in the week, with MCC again too strong and too tall, winning 49-19 and 31-18 to give the netballers a clean sweep.

Off the field, there were two official functions hosted by the SCC, both held in a specially erected dining marquee over the club’s synthetic netball/tennis courts to accommodate the large numbers from both clubs.

The first occasion was a welcome cocktail party, where we were warmly welcomed by SCC president, Captain Baldev Singh, to which club manager Mark Anderson responded. The various sports were introduced before everyone enjoyed plentiful offerings of delightful cocktail snacks and accompanying beverages.

A tournament dinner was held at the end of the week, at which we presented our wonderful hosts with a gift to commemorate our visit – framed cricket caps; the original MCC playing cap that was reproduced as part of our 175-year celebrations and the modern day cap. SCC reciprocated by presenting a special Singapore-shaped glass plaque.

We thank the Singapore Cricket Club for their organisation and hospitality, in an event that served to enhance the warm relationship that is shared between the two clubs.