On Thursday morning, 29 August, Union’s 1st XIs embarked on an exciting cricket tour to Port Elizabeth to attend Pearson High School’s annual Home & Equity Cricket Festival.This proved to be an amazing tour for the young Union side as they played excellent cricket, producing some wonderful results while doing so.
Over the course of the four days, Union managed to win 2 out of their 4 fixtures.
Despite their losses, they showcased outstanding cricket skills, with some of the cricketers racking up very impressive individual results. The four 50’s and one 5-wicket haul recorded, bears testament to the quality cricket that the boys played throughout the weekend. To top it all off, their efforts on the field were backed up by a tremendously positive team spirit and a ‘never say die’ attitude.
An individual performance of note, was that of James Pienaar. James took 8 wickets and scored 40 runs in the declaration match against Marlow, earning him the festival’s all-rounder award.
The respective results for the four matches played during the festival, are as follows:
• In the team’s first match at the festival, Thursday’s T20 against Muir College, Muir batted first and scored 152 for 6.
Union’s best bowlers were Matthew Hesslink (2 for 30), Brett Amsterdam (2 for 32) and Jaden Brotherton (2 for 24).
Union then went in to bat and managed to score 129 for 2 in the 20 overs. Union’s best batsmen were Kyle-Luke du Preez (67 not out) and Brett Amsterdam (33 not out).
Union lost by 23 runs
Kyle-Luke du Preez was voted man of the match.
• In Friday’s declaration match against Marlow Agricultural High School, Union batted first and scored 251 for 7.
The best batsmen were Jaden Brotherton (82), Brett Amsterdam (45) and James Pienaar (40).
Union then managed to bowl Marlow out for 79.
The best bowlers were James Pienaar (5 for 11) and Brett Amsterdam (4 for 29).
Union then proceeded with their second innings, scoring 50 for 2 before declaring and sending Marlow in to bat needing to take 5 wickets for an outright win.
Marlow went in to bat and lost their five wickets for 25 runs.
Union’s best bowlers were James Pienaar (3 for 19) and Lihle Mxhunyelwa (2 for 5).
Union won the match by 197 runs.
James Pienaar was voted man of the match.
• Saturday’s 50-over match against Westering High School saw Westering batting first and scoring 155 for 8.
Union’s best bowler was Jaden Brotherton (3 for 24).
Union then went in to bat and passed the score with 4 wickets down.
The best batsmen were Kyle-Luke du Preez (52), Jaden Brotherton (29), Khwezi Simon (23) and Brett Amsterdam (20).
Union won the match by 6 wickets.
Kyle-Luke du Preez was voted man of the match.
• In Union’s last match of the festival, Sunday’s 50-over match against Graeme College, Graeme batted first and scored 307 for 5.
Brett Amsterdam, Rogan Odendaal and Lihle Mxhunyelwa each took one wicket.
Union then went in to bat and scored 145 all out.
Jaden Brotherton (67) was Union’s best batsmen.
Union lost the match by 162 runs.
Jaden Brotherton was voted man of the match.