GRAAFF-REINET CRICKET NEWS - Union High School’s first cricket team faced St Andrew’s School from Bloemfontein this past weekend.
St Andrew’s won the toss and elected to bat first.
With a very new and inexperienced bowling attack, Union allowed St Andrew’s to get off to a healthy start.
However, despite being on the back foot, the Union team fought back and managed to curb the run rate in the middle overs due to some excellent bowling by Brett Amsterdam and Caerwyn Spence, who managed to go for only 37 runs in his allotted 10 overs, in a game where the run rate was at 6 runs an over.
This allowed Union to apply pressure on the already set batsmen and managed to take three quick wickets after drinks, leaving St Andrew’s having to rebuild their innings.
Unfortunately, having allowed them to have wickets in hand at the back end of the innings St Andrew’s took advantage of a good batting track and posted a well-played 302 for 4.
Given the total posted, the pick of the bowlers were Caerwyn Spence with 0 for 37 in 10 overs and Matthew Hesselink who took 2 for 27 in 5 overs.
Union went in to bat and started with a wonderful 70 run opening partnership which was looking to set up the innings for an exciting run chase.
Despite losing some quick wickets, Luke Mc Naughton managed to hold his nerve and the innings together with some fine stroke play.
Unfortunately, a lack of experience in the middle to lower order proved to be the difference between the two batting performances and Union ended their innings on 218 all out.
Union’s best batsmen were Luke Mc Naughton (84), Brett Amsterdam (37) and Trevor Moos (25).
Union lost the match by 84 runs.
Despite the loss there are many positives to take away for this very young side and the future of Union cricket is an exciting prospect.
U.15A vs St Andrew’s Bloemfontein
Union lost the toss, were sent in to bat and were bowled out for 59. James Pienaar was the best batsmen with 25 runs.
St Andrew’s went in to bat and managed to reach the total without losing a wicket.
Union lost the match by 10 wickets.
2nd XI vs St Andrews Bloem
Union won the toss, elected to bat and managed to score 77 all out. Best batsmen were: JJ Liebenberg (25), Z Ngwana (15) and W Kayster (11).
St Andrew’s managed to pass the target with only 2 wickets down.
Best bowlers were B James (1/15) and Z Ngwana (1/24).
Union lost by 8 wickets.
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