Uplifting win for United
United go into the season break with a tense two-wicket win on Sunday.
Some nails were chewed a little shorter while United Cricket Club’s Premier XI made hard work of their chase with the bat, at home to KT Windies (KwaThema), in the Eastern Premier League on Sunday, December 7.
Bowling their opposition all out for 159, in 42 overs, skipper Justin Gamble and his United teammates were expected to stroll to their 160-run target with relative ease at Hosking Park.
With the ball it was United’s Aidan Justus (3/26), Gamble (2/10), Kevin Hinton (2/11) and Oswaldo De Souza (2/33) who performed well, while KT Windies’ Maxwell Mhsweni top-scored with 45.
When the hosts stepped into the crease they started losing early wickets, with some umpiring decisions going against their batsmen.
Captain Gamble, fresh off an unbeaten 90 against Springs Old Boys, last Sunday, continued his good form with the willow and his 48 runs in conjunction with 43 from Aidan Justus, who will be leaving the club for a year as he moves to the University of Pretoria’s Academy, helped bulk up the team’s total score.
United tail-enders Hinton and De Souza saw the side to the target in the 33rd over, to ensure a second consecutive bonus-point win for the Brakpan-based team (the first time they have achieved this in their short Premier League history).
The two-wicket win has now lifted United’s first XI into fifth position in the Premier League.
As the league breaks for the festive period, the team have achieved their first target.
“We know there are some tough games awaiting us in the new year, but we will bask in the glory of reaching our target,” said team manager Des Gamble.
“Don’t count us out just yet.”
The team will return to Premier League action on Sunday, January 11, when they host Duduza at Hosking Park.
