United’s great escape
Things are certainly heating up in the chase for the 2015/2016 Eastern Premier League title and it is clear that nothing can be taken for granted out in the middle.
After an almost flawless first half of the campaign Brakpan’s United Cricket Club are now feeling the pressure as the battle for top-spot takes some fascinating twists and turns with virtually every delivery bowled across the region.
The team definitely felt the pressure when Tembisa visited Hosking Park on Sunday.
On Valentine’s Day, United’s less-fancied opposition showed incredible heart as they pushed the hosts to the very limit.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first skipper Justin Gamble’s side were merrily going about their business in the first innings with the bat.
Vaughn Humphrey added another half-century to his statistics for his new club while Aidan Justus followed suit with a 50 of his own.
Anthony Kruger (34) and Rian van der Merwe (25) also contributed as the team put on a score of 247/9 in their 50 overs.
After lunch Tembisa’s opening batsman Israel Hlengani took the match to the United bowlers as he blazed his way to 62 runs (going off the field with a migraine and later returning).
Enock Makamo (51) and Zwelo Ntsimbini (36) kept the United fielders chasing leather in the field.
Following the first drinks break the home team’s bowlers found some life and Kevin Hinton (3/26 in 10 overs) and JP Meade (3/44 in 10 overs) did most of the wicket-taking.
With only 10 batsmen available United would win the match (without a bonus point) as Tembisa fell just 16 runs short with a score of 231/9.
The victory is valuable for Gamble’s men, however, Kempton Park are now tied on points with them at the top of the log after a bonus-point win over Boksburg at Prince George Park on the same day.
Defending champions Benoni Northerns and CBC Old Boys are also breathing down their necks as the title race and the push for the third versus second place play-off gets more and more unpredictable.
All of the teams have tricky encounters to come in the coming weeks.
United travel to Springs Old Boys on Sunday, February 21, with nothing but a bonus point victory expected of them.
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY of images from the match.
