New boys Bedfordview given a United welcoming
The first deliveries of the 2016/2017 Eastern Cricket Union’s Premier League were bowled on Sunday, October 2.
United Cricket Club’s Premier XI welcomed league newcomers Bedfordview Cricket Club to the Eastern Cricket Union at Brakpan’s Hosking Park in ruthless fashion with an assured and positive performance – a 95-run bonus-point victory.
After losing the coin toss to Bedfordview skipper Jason Smith, United were put in to bat.
It was a decision that would backfire for Bedfordview as the United opening pair of Vaughn Humphrey and Jose van der Berg put on a first-wicket stand of 91 runs.
The left-handed Humphrey accumulated 89 runs from 95 deliveries in an innings that included 12 fours while van der Berg scored 43 runs from 54 balls before he was caught off the bowling of Smith.
Branden Grutter was dismissed without troubling the scorers.
United skipper Justin Gamble came in at four and notched up 38 runs from 35 deliveries before he was dismissed LBW with the score 167/3.
Aidan Justus and JP Meade made small contributions to the tally before number seven batsman Dylan Rayner blitzed his way to 52 from 42 balls.
United would see out their 50 over innings with the score at 322/9 (a run rate of 6.46).
With the ball United’s bowlers took care of the job at hand despite a 119-run opening stand from Bedfordview’s Akhter Rasul (55 runs from 66 balls) and Ehren Schmidt (53 runs from 87 balls).
The away team could not keep up with the required run rate despite the efforts of the openers and number four batsman CJ van der Walt (56 runs from 75 balls).
Spinner Grutter was the destroyer-in-chief with the ball for the hosts.
His bowling figures of 5/44 in 10 overs were crucial in United’s big victory and his display earned him a place on United’s clubhouse honours board.
United, who enjoyed their best campaign in the 2015/2016 season, will be pleased with their start to the 2016/2017 version and will hope to continue with winning ways when they travel to Boksburg’s PG Park on Sunday, October 9.
Reflecting on the win captain Gamble said: “It was a good all-round start to the season.
“Our batsmen did their jobs decently and the bowling was quite consistent.
There are a few small things to work on, but it was a good performance from the team.”
One negative for United was an injury sustained by fast bowler Kevin Hinton which is expected to keep him out of action for a few weeks.
For more info on the match and the scorecard CLICK HERE
