United suffer another loss

United Cricket Club’s Premier XI went down by five-wickets to league-leading Kempton Park at their home base of Hosking Park on Sunday, December 4.

The Brakpan-based team were hoping to build on their successive away wins against CBC Old Boys and Springs Old Boys, but it wasn’t to be as they faltered against the Kempton bowling attack.

Skipper Justin Gamble’s call to bat first did not quite work out as his batting order could only muster 90 runs as they were bowled all out in the 31st over.

With the ball, the United bowlers put up a valiant effort, but defending a low score was never going to be easy.

They claimed five Kempton wickets, but the visitors crossed the line in the 26th over.

Kevin Hinton (2/14 in seven overs), Branden Grutter (1/35 in 10 overs) and Tshepo Motaung (1/18 in 4.5 overs) taking the wickets.

“It was the same old problem of no batting partnerships this week,” said Gamble.

“Kempton bowled well, but we had a few soft dismissals again.

“The bowlers put in a good show to get five wickets, but 90 runs were never going to be enough to defend.

“We have one big game left now in the round and we will need to be ready to put in a good performance.”

That big game will be played in the New Year on Sunday, January 15 when United travel to Actonville.

• Meanwhile, there was success for United’s three other Sunday league teams.

The Promotion League XI crushed Actonville Spurs Cricket Club by a massive 304 runs at Hosking Park B.

United blasted 383 runs all out in 49.5 overs with James De Nyssen scoring 111, Dean Crouse scoring 87 runs not out and Andre Johnson scoring 57 runs.

Actonville could only put 79 runs on the board.

United’s Director’s XI defeated Kempton Park by eight wickets with Wade Charlton (110 runs not out) and Shaun Fourie (63 runs) the stars with the bat.

Jordan Benson-Armer was the stand-out bowler for United with figures of 5/44 in 10 overs.

The club’s young Colts XI defeated Wattville by 158 runs.