Spurs defeated despite wobbly chase
Actonville Spurs Cricket Club’s (ASCC) Premier XI had just got back that winning feeling against Tembisa, on Sunday, October 18, when they again fell on the wrong side of the result sheet, at home to United Cricket Club, on Sunday, October 25, with a two-wicket loss.
Their Brakpan-based visitors had built up a winning momentum of their own with three straight victories and were, by that evidence, not going to be easy pickings for the ASCC outfit.
Batting first, after captain Clayton August lost the toss, the team struggled on a slow wicket and, from all accounts, no batsmen really ever felt in at the crease.
Despite a fighting battling knock from Kyle Degambur, who scored 51 runs, there wasn’t too much to write home about for the hosts, as the Actonville XI were bowled all out for 192, with two balls remaining in the innings.
Ridwaan Daya and August (both 29 runs) were the next best scoring batsmen for Actonville.
United were made to work hard in their chase with the willow and stammered their way to the target, keeping the Actonville bowlers in with a chance throughout.
United skipper Justin Gamble (63) and Dylan Rayner (71) played the crucial innings for their team, as their knocks helped the visitors to edge closure to the score set by ASCC.
Kevin Hinton, at nine, and Tshepo Motaung, at 10, eventually got the United team home in 47.1 overs.
“A lack in concentration levels and, perhaps, fatigue, played a part in letting it slip the way we did, but it’s something we have to recover from quickly, in time for Kempton Park’s visit on Sunday,” said club public relations officer Zunaid Seedat.
