United bounce back with Springs win
After two weeks of Premier League inactivity, United Cricket Club’s Premier XI made a good return to winning ways at home, against Springs Old Boys, on Sunday, November 30.
A bye, two weeks back, and a rain draw with Benoni Northerns Cricket Club, last Sunday, meant that the club’s Premier team was hungry to play and to win at Hosking Park.
Springs batted first and their first four batsmen troubled the United bowlers before the home side’s bowlers started gaining the upper hand.
Oswaldo de Sousa starred with the ball and attained good figures of 4/19 in five overs, while skipper Justin Gamble (2/29 in 10 overs) and Aidan Justus (2/26 in six overs) helped restrict their opponents to a score of 168 all out, within 38 overs.
When United’s batsmen stepped into the crease it was the left-handed Gamble who stole the show.
He played a typical captain’s innings and his unbeaten score of 90 not out helped steer his chargers to a morale boosting bonus-point five-wicket victory.
Unfortunately for him, the target had been reached before he could make a century.
According to team manager Des Gamble, the win has boosted the club into sixth position on the Eastern Premier League table and takes them one step closer to their season-end goal of at least fifth position.
“All our hard work is starting pay off and we are thrilled with the bonus-point win,” he said.
“Justin played really well, but it was the team’s performance that mattered most.
“Last week’s rain-outs were not kind to anybody and our boys were itching to get out there and play good cricket again.
“There is no easy game in this league, so we are extremely pleased with the way that we played on Sunday.”
The team will host KT Windies (KwaThema), at Hosking Park, this Sunday, December 7.
KT Windies are fixed at the bottom of the league and are yet to win a match.
The first delivery of the match is scheduled to be bowled at 9.30am.
