United overcome tricky Tembisa
After four relatively convincing victories in the Eastern Premier League competition, Brakpan’s United Cricket Club endured a tricky path to a fifth successive victory when they hosted Tembisa Cricket Club at Hosking Park on November 19.
The club welcomed the debuts of two new signings, batsman Ernest Mbalane and all-rounder Xolane Shongwe, on the day.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, United faced struggles with the willow due to good bowling from the Tembisans.
Mbalane (27 runs from 55 deliveries), Wickus Germishuizen (30 runs from 61 deliveries), Michael Weldon (32 runs from 53 deliveries) and Branden Grutter (21 runs from 23 deliveries) helped United to a low score of 168.
With the ball opening bowlers JP Meade (3/37 in eight overs) and Shongwe (0/13 in six overs) made early strides, but the Tembisan batsmen were well on their way to chasing down the score before spinner Branden Grutter stepped up to swing the match in United’s favour.
Grutter’s superb bowling figures of 5/23 in seven overs, partnered with good bowling from captain Justin Gamble (2/25 in 8.5 overs), put a halt to the Tembisan charge and set up a 17-run victory.
“It was a tough one, but we managed to grab a victory from the jaws of defeat there.
“The score of 168 was definitely well below par, despite some good knocks from Michael, Wickus and Ernest.
“Without those knocks we wouldn’t have had anything to bowl to.
“With the ball, JP and Xolane started well for us before the game started to drift away, but Grutter stepped up to the plate and told us he would win the game for us and he did exactly that.
“It was a great showing of fighting spirit and I am extremely proud of the way we fought for the win.
“Alberton this weekend will be another tough game, but we will be ready and will look to carry on the momentum leading into the end of the first half of the season.”
They will play Alberton away from home at the Lindeque Oval.
The club’s Promotion League XI (who didn’t have a match this weekend) will travel to Olifantsfontein to play against Midrand.
Meanwhile, United’s Colts League XI defeated KwaThema by four wickets at the Prince Thethe Oval.
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