Hornsey Cricket Club's under-14s enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to South Africa recently.

The youngsters played five matches, winning two and seeing the final fixture rained off as they attempted to even their series.

But the cricket was only half the story, as the boys collected over 350kg of clothing, kit and equipment to donate to a township in support of charity Hope Through Action and provided kit to Leading Edge Foundation too.

The tour party, sponsored by Kyma Capital, flew out to Cape Town to the Lagoon Beach Hotel, before a first training session at Milnerton CC.

Their first 35-over match against Bridge House Prep, a school in the mountains of Franschhoek, ended in a comprehensive loss in extreme heat, as Zach Clark (20 not out) top scored and they scored 143 against a team from the Leading Edge Sports Foundation in a much closer defeat, as Alex Womack (43) led the way.

A 20-over match against Bishop Diocesan College saw Noah Helfgott hit a century in their 151, with Orhan Kozhipatt, Jai Ranawat and Helfgott taking two wickets each, as Womack, Sam Bresh, Daniel Kirby and George Hickman also had success in a 58-run victory, before trips to Robben Island and the township, where they interacted with local youngsters.

They experienced a visit to Table Mountain and another 20-over match against Rondesbosch High School, where Kai Smale (37) top scored in Hornsey's 114 and Jacob Auburn took three wickets and Dart Sood picked up two in a four-run success, followed by a trip to see penguins at Boulder Bay.

Match five against Somerset College was over 25 overs and ended in a narrow four-run loss, as Alex Prior (37) top scored in pursuit of the home side's 147.

The party then moved onto Arabella Hotel for two nights but saw their last match against Overberg Hoerskool washed out before a final day of fun and their return flight to the UK.

"My wife Judy and I founded Hope Through Action almost 20 years ago," said Philip Green.

"We work amongst disadvantaged young people of the Western Cape in South Africa. These young people live in very challenging circumstances - almost always very poor, often very violent and frequently drug impacted.

"We create a safe environment for them, in which they can develop life skills through sport.

"We were thrilled to host the U14 boys' cricket team from Hornsey Cricket Club - they were great ambassadors for the local area.

"They interacted so well with the youngsters through sport and other activities and I know they’ve taken home many special memories.

"We were extremely grateful for their visit and generosity. They made an impactful donation to our charity through their own fund raising, as well as bringing gifts of clothing and sports kit and supplying over 100 ice creams for local children during their visit.

"I’m hopeful that together we may be able to make a long-term partnership between Hornsey CC and Hope Through Action."

Hilton Toro, from Leading Edge, added: "We would like to thank the Hornsey Cricket Club U14s for their generous donation of cricket kit to our children including bats, helmets, pads and clothing.

"This will go a long way in the cricket development for those less fortunate children from our local communities.

"The 35-over match was great fun, played in great spirit and we are sorry that we beat you on the day! We will also look to build a strong relationship with Hornsey Cricket Club going forward."

Club treasurer and parent Carolyn Bresh organised the trip along with club social secretary Sara Perry and club coach Garfield Struthers and said: "Nine months from idea to delivering the 13 boys home to their parents at Highgate tube station was without doubt, one of the hardest things, I have ever done but also one of the most rewarding.

"Oscar Zambarakji sadly broke his wrist playing football just prior to the tour. He still very much wanted to join the boys and tirelessly filled water bottles, took photos and cheered the boys on at every match.

"The highs and lows were often compressed into minutes. The boys winning an away match and the bus trip home will live long in the memory. As will the boys representing Hornsey Cricket Club, so far out of their comfort zone in a Township, and seeing the sheer joy they brought to other children through the simple act of buying them ice creams from their pocket money."

Those sentiments were echoed by other parents, with Jonathan Auburn, one of the Hornsey dads, saying: "It was a life-changing experience for all the youngsters. My son found the visit to the Township the highlight - meeting the children there, playing sports with them and learning about their lives.”

Ranica Kozhiphatt, a touring boy's mum, added: "Playing five games in nine days in new conditions was a great and challenging cricket experience.

"Orhan experienced Table Mountain, penguin watching, swimming in the ocean, cricket in another continent and a Township visit. Nine days that will be remembered for a lifetime.”

And Caroline Rainbird, mother of Alex Prior, said: "The trip was a life enhancing experience for our boys- it was an amazing opportunity to play competitive sport as a team but also to give back to a much deserving community and to be reminded that there is a much bigger world with really important issues.”