With a number of opening day matches in the Eastern Premier League either delayed or abandoned due to the wet weather that abounded, Brakpan’s United Cricket Club was one of the few clubs to get a match and result completed last Sunday.
United kick-started their 50-over format Eastern Cricket Union elite campaign with a 26-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis Method over Bedfordview Cricket Club at Hosking Park.
Skipper Justin Gamble won the toss and elected to bat first.
Opening batsman André Johnson hit 40 runs from 47 balls (four fours and three sixes), but his top-order batting teammates did not offer much in terms of formulating good partnerships.
Jose van der Berg, JP Meade, Aidan Justus and Gamble did not stick around in the crease for too long as the bowling of Bedfordview opener Cameron Fryer caused some trouble.
At 41/4 Wickus Germishuizen joined Johnson at the wicket.
The latter eventually departed with the score 77/5.
Germishuizen dug deep and put together a steady score of 36 runs from 64 deliveries (a strike rate of 56) while Michael Weldon (11 runs from 32 balls) and then Branden Grutter (13 runs off 38 balls) kept the clock and the overs ticking.
When they were dismissed, number nine batsman Rynard de Lange took charge.
He blitzed his way to a score of 58 runs from 49 deliveries (four fours and a six) to help take the hosts past the 200 mark with the help of number 10 batsman Peter Trewick (28 runs from 42 balls).
They eventually completed their 50 overs with a score of 225/9.
Rian van Aardt (48 runs from 94 deliveries) was the best of the Bedfordview willow-wielders in their batting reply.
They were bowled out for 170 runs. Justus was the chief destroyer with the ball for United with figures of 4/19 in four overs.
Skipper Gamble commented on the win: “It is a good start to the season for us.
“Batting first we said we were looking for around 220.
“The top order failed a bit, but there were a few good contributions along the way that got us to a competitive 225.
“Then the bowlers bowled pretty good areas and kept the pressure on.
“In the end they had to go hard and that brought us some good wickets.
“Rynard batted really well and was supported well by Andre, Wickus and a few other small contributions.
“Nearly all the bowlers bowled well.
“It is good to get a win in the first game to give us some momentum going forward.”
United will travel to PG Park today (Sunday), where they will play Boksburg.
The club’s promotion, directors’ and Colts League sides’ Sunday matches were abandoned due to wet wickets.
Also read: T20 semis beckon for United
Free cricket training sessions for women
Follow us:
