Oh, so close for uThungulu
Needing just over 2 runs per over for victory looked easy in theory, but proved more difficult in achieving
RH CONSTRUCTION uThungulu suffered their second consecutive defeat at the blade of Crusaders on Sunday at Addison Park, in the first round of the 50 over premier league competition.
The local outfit went down by 5 wickets in the T20 semi-finals played on Sunday, 16 October at Chatsworth Oval and now again, by two wickets.
uThungulu padded up and headed out to the middle first, with the aim of putting on a comfortable total to defend. But this plan failed, with the scoreboard reading 11/1,14/2, 33/3 and eventually 60/6.
But a handful of useful contributions from the lower order batsmen, aided the team’s total to 147 all out in 275 balls. Dale van der Merwe played a solid unbeaten innings of 42 off 66 balls.
His 96 minute stand included four 4s and one 6.
The only other four batsmen to reach double figures were Daryn Dupavillon (22), Ashley Lombard (15), Neill Jordan (13) and Freedom Buthelezi (12).
Kyle Ralph (3/25 in 10) was the man who lead the Crusaders’ charge, backed up by Nicholas Hewer (2/23 in 8), Johnny Riekert (2/25 in 10) and Brendon Smith (2/39 in 7.4).
Needing just over 2 runs per over for victory looked easy in theory, but proved more difficult in achieving.
Crusaders reached 148 off 269 balls with the loss of eight wickets. Jason Gilbert (37 not out) and Riekert (20) top scored for the Durban based side, with Buthelezi (2/22 in 10), Jordan (2/26 in 7.4) and Dupavillon (2/40 in 10) all picking up sticks for uThungulu.
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