New kids on the block ready to make history

United Cricket Club was formed at the beginning of the 2008-2009 season, through the amalgamation of Brakpan Cricket Club and Airfield Youth Cricket Club (AYCC).

Both these clubs had a long and proud history, but the change in demographics in the Ekurhuleni area necessitated the amalgamation.

Since then the team has steadily progressed in the ranks and after securing the Easterns Promotion League title last season, Eastern Cricket Union added the very young team to its elite competition.

The team will be skippered by Justin Gamble and coached by Frans Bezuidenhout, who led them to Promotion League success last season.

Bezuidenhout is the first to admit that participation in the Premier League will be a huge challenge for the club, but is pinning his hopes on a mid-table finish for a team with the majority of its players still in high school.

“Our youngsters had a brilliant season in the Promotion League and I believe that we can definitely cause a few upsets in the Premier League, especially as 80 per cent of our players have played for Easterns,” he said.

“The fact that our team is so young can only be an asset to the club in years to come.”

He praised everybody involved with the club for getting it to where it is now.

Mark Kitching, chairman of United Cricket Club, said that the “Club of Choice” is ready to host Premier League matches at Hoskin Park.

“Our fields and pitch have been upgraded and we have installed a new computerized sprinkler system,” he said.

“On the field of play we have committed and skilful players that will definitely put up a challenge.”

United Cricket Club will play their first match of the Premier League season against CBC Old Boys, at Hoskin Park,with play scheduled to start at 9.30am.

The club has encouraged all cricket lovers to come down to Hoskin Park and show support for their young chargers.