The Midrand Cricket Club juniors kicked off their Easterns Cricket Union league season on October 22.
The club participates in the league with its U8, 10, 12, and 14 divisions. Following a few years of building, the club’s juniors are now participating in the Unions Super Leagues, which pit the strongest clubs against each other.
It was a successful opening week for the club as two of the three sides in action secured wins against Tembisa in the U10 and against Champions in the U12.
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The game against Champions was to be the game of the weekend as the two old foes went hammer and tongs to draw first blood in the race for the championship.
Playing at the high-scoring grounds of Halfway House Primary, the local side won the toss and elected to bat. The side saw talent from Summerhill College and Halfway House Primary combining to defend Midrand’s honour.
The Midrand side made a steady start scoring 94 runs for the loss on one wicket in the first 15 overs with Dresden Govender being the main contributor with a brisk 45 off 42 balls.
The local side needed to up the rate and Railey Gangadeen played a cameo of 28 runs off 17 balls which propelled the side to a score of 206 in 25 overs.
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The local sides bowling innings ebbed and flowed with the sides exchanging control of the game. The nerve-wracking game reached its climax in the last over with Champions needing seven runs off the last six balls.
With parents and spectators on the edge of their seats, the local side managed to hold their nerve and left the visiting side agonisingly close as they finished the innings three runs short of their target.
It was a sweet victory for the side coming behind the news earlier in the week that one of their members, Sanjay Wengat, had been selected for the Easterns U12 side.
Midrand Cricket Club coach Ryan Maps-Munyama praised his charges and said, “The Easterns Super League is the ultimate test for boys playing club cricket and we know we have our work cut out for us in the coming months. The boys are working hard and we are ready.”
The club is always on the lookout for players and coaches interested in joining the club. Contact the club on 072 908 8701.
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