United make it three wins out of three
Brakpan-based United Cricket Club’s Premier League XI made it three victories in as many matches when they welcomed Duduza to Hosking Park on November 5.
Skipper Justin Gamble’s men kept their winning momentum going with a mammoth 245-run demolition job of the visiting team.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, United’s batsmen took full advantage with the willow.
For once opening batsman André Johnson was not as devastating as he has been in recent times, getting dismissed for just 14 runs.
His opening partner Aidan Justus fell for 28 runs with the score 82/2.
JP Meade (44 runs from 47 deliveries) and Gamble took the score to 124/3 before the latter was dismissed.
Gamble, however, was in a confident mood.
The left-handed skipper stormed to his first century of the Premier League campaign (100 runs from 92 balls, eight fours and three sixes).
He and number five batsman Branden Grutter (who smashed his way to 93 runs from 64 deliveries, nine fours and five sixes) formed a large partnership of 168 runs before the United captain was bowled.
A late show of 31 runs from 41 balls from Dylan Rayner 31 runs from 14 balls helped get United to their highest total, 355/6 in their 50-over batting innings.
United’s bowlers made light work of the Duduza batting order.
Rayner (2/17), Meade (1/14), Peter Trewick (1/29), Alec van der Kruit (1/29) and Morne van der Merwe (1/26) all find themselves among the wickets while Gamble enjoyed a fantastic end to his day at the office by wrapping up the tail with figures of 3/7 in 2.3 overs.
Duduza were all out within 25 overs for 110 runs to give United another bonus point win.
Gamble commented on the result: “It was a great win which keeps our momentum going.
“It was terrific to get our highest total score after being sent into bat.
“We had some steady partnerships throughout the innings with JP continuing his good form.
“It was awesome to see Grutter back in the runs and it was great to have such a strong partnership with him.
“It was always going to be a difficult task for Duduza to chase 350 runs, but our bowlers still stuck to their guns to restrict them to 110.
“Debutant Alec bowled really well and was well backed by all the other bowlers.
“We go to KwaThema this Sunday looking to keep that winning form going.”
Meanwhile, on Hosking Park’s B-Field United’s Promotion League XI cruised to victory over visiting Wattville.
Brendon Frost (4/2 in 3.2 overs), Shaun Fourie (3/15 in seven overs) and Keegan Burton (3/32 in three overs) helped skittle the Wattville batsmen for 110 runs in 21 overs.
Frost added to his four-wicket contribution with the ball by hitting 71 runs not out to guide his team to a 10-wicket victory in just 10 overs.
The club’s Directors League team travelled to Bedfordview Cricket Club and brought back another win to Brakpan.
Adrian de Vries (3/55 in 10 overs) and Shane Speed (2/46 runs in seven overs) were the best of the United bowlers as Bedford smacked 312/6 in their 50-over batting innings.
Their big total would prove not be enough as centuries from de Vries (108 runs) and Donovan du Randt (112 runs) saw United reach 318/5 in 47.5 overs to get the big win.
The club’s Colts League team suffered a 10-wicket defeat to Avion on Sunday.
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