Alberton defeat means slim play-off chance for United
United Cricket Club’s Eastern Premier League One side’s chances of a top three play-off spot are looking slim.
The team suffered a second defeat in succession in the league. This time against Alberton Cricket Club on March 18 at Hosking Park.
They were left ruing another poor display with the willow after another good showing with the ball up front.
United’s skipper Justin Gamble won the morning coin toss and elected to bowl first under overcast skies that would give assistance to the bowlers.
They started quite well and had Alberton 143/8 before the Alberton tail wagged and 45 more runs were added before they were bowled out for 188.
Eden Links (2/30 in 10 overs), Gamble (2/27 in 10 overs) and Brandon Grutter (2/41 in six overs) all claimed braces of wickets in the innings.
With the bat, the team again failed to form any major batting partnerships (despite an opening stand of 46 runs from JP Meade and André Johnson).
Also read: Heroic Meade can’t give United what they need
The team was bowled out for 143 runs in 40.3 overs, a 45-run loss.
“Again, it was not the result we were looking for,” said captain Gamble.
“We felt it was a good performance with the ball in restricting them to 188.
“Their tail wagged a bit and they probably got 30 more runs than they should have, but we still felt like it was a good total to chase.
“Their bowlers were quite disciplined and, after a good start from us, we lost regular wickets.
“We could only compile two small partnerships and in the end it wasn’t good enough.
“We will look to have a strong couple of performances in the next two games and finish off the season well.”
That next game is scheduled for Human Rights Day on March 21 against Kempton Park at the Barnard Stadium followed by their final league match on March 25 against Tembisa at Willowmoore Park’s B-field.
There is a chance that Alberton might not qualify for the play-off stages due to the Eastern Cricket Union’s transformation targets not being met, so United could sneak into the second-versus-third place play-off.
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