Tight encounter at Hosking Park
Following a historic first bonus point win for United Cricket Club’s Premier XI, against Boksburg Cricket Club, on October 13, and the subsequent rain draw on October 20, the Brakpan-based team were aiming to put in another strong performance against Duduza, at home, on Sunday, October 27.
The toss was always going to be important in the morning, with both teams keen to bowl first, however, United’s captain Justin Gamble lost the toss and his team was put in to bat by Duduza’s skipper, Tumelo Bodipe.
This move paid dividends for the away side, with their bowlers picking up early wickets cheaply.
The only resistance with the bat for the Hosking Park team came from number five batsman Dian Moore, who played well to reach a score of 53.
Scores of 19 runs from Dylan Rayner, 27 runs from JP Meade and 13 runs from Paul Amorim were the only other meaningful contributions with the willow, as United were bowled out for 148 in the 49th over.
The home team’s bowlers realised that they would need to put on a solid display to defend this relatively low score.
Branden Grutter, Rayner, Gamble and Branden Fleming picked up two wickets apiece in a positive bowling innings, but their efforts could not halt the Duduza batsmen from reaching the target in the 48th over.
Duduza secured their first win of the new Eastern Premier League season, winning the game by two wickets.
Team manager Des Gamble said the team paid the price for not putting enough runs on the scoreboard.
“We knew we had a fight on our hands after the batting innings and our bowlers put on an excellent effort,” he said.
“The toss played a big part in the outcome of the match, but we were happy that we managed to take eight wickets and force the opposition to bat right up until the 48th over.”
The young team will take on the defending champions, Benoni Northerns,at Northern Areas, in Benoni, on Sunday, November 3.
With the Benoni team succumbing by five wickets to CBC Old Boys on Sunday, United will feel that the time is right to cause a huge upset.
The first delivery will be bowled at 9.30am.
