In Union’s T20 against Daniël Pienaar, the visiting side was first to bat, setting a target of 110. Union then took to the field and, unfortunately, only managed a total of 86. Top scorers for Union were Jude Langmead (21) and Laythan Carelse (10). Our best bowlers were Shaakir Kazi (4/15 in 3 overs) and Yaaseen Kazi (2/9 in 2 overs). Daniël Pienaar won by 25 runs.
Union’s declaration match against Lilyfontein on Thursday, 12 January, saw Union winning the match by 65 runs. Union’s top scorer was Joshua Horne with 39 runs. Best Union bowler for the day was Shaakir Kazi who took 6 wickets in 14 overs for 48 runs.
This year’s Union High School Senior Cricket Festival once again showcased some of the best school cricket talent that the province has to offer, as 12 teams battled it out on various cricket fields in Graaff-Reinet from 11 to 14 January.
The 4-day tournament, which Union High School proudly hosts each year, was a major success this year, with vast amounts of sunshine greeting players each day as they aimed to impress spectators.
The festival was kicked off on Wednesday, 11 January, with a set of T20 matches and a delightful cocktail function at the Tony Burrell Union. Headmaster Mr William Pringle welcomed all to the festival.Mr Pringle also thanked Union’s sports administrator Mr Calvin Beck and all those staff assisting him for their efforts.
Schools in attendance included the hosting side, Union High School, as well as Daniël Pienaar Technical High School, Framesby, Stirling High School, Edgemead High School, Nico Malan, Grey High School, Cradock High School, Victoria Park, Lilyfontein, Milnerton High School and Westering High School.
T20s, declaration matches as well as 50-over encounters were played on Union’s Murray and Puttick fields as well as at the Botanics Sports Grounds, Hoër Volkskool, Asante Sana Private Game Reserve and Wheatlands Farm, with each venue’s idyllic setting in the Gem of the Karoo providing the perfect backdrop for cricket at the height of summer.
Over the course of four days there were a number of high team scores, some big hitting from the batsmen, quite a few big wicket hauls from the spinners and plenty of smart cricket from the captains.
The fantastic camaraderie among the participating schools added to the convivial atmosphere, and ensured that the festival produced a lot of great cricket while being enjoyed by all concerned.
Union’s sports organiser, Mr Calvin Beck, believes this year’s tournament’s success was largely due to the well-managed facilities where all the cricket matches were played. “It was amazing. The facilities and conditions were excellent. All those involved must be given credit for the outstanding cricketing conditions.”
The school extends its grateful thanks to all participating teams as well as to Hoër Volkskool, Wheatlands Farm, Asante Sana Game Reserve and the Botanics Sports Grounds for making their facilities available for many of the matches.
This past Saturday, 14 January, saw many of Union’s young hockey players (from prep school through to high school) learning from experienced national and provincial players during a 𝗛𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗖 presented by the Karoo Hockey Club at the Union High School, Graaff-Reinet AstroTurf.
Facilitators included (among other) Protea player Cornelle Holtzhausen, provincial player Arijana Botha, as well as Old Unionites Micela Loock, Jannien van Jaarsveld, Union’s own Joy Merifield and former Volkskool 1st team captain Inge van Rooyen.
In addition to working on their technical skills, the youngsters were taught hockey-related exercises and given sound advice which they can take to the field this coming hockey season.
𝗖𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗮𝗵-𝗟𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗞𝗼𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 came second in both the Singles and Doubles competition in her division𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 claimed first place in both the Girls’ u.12 Singles and Doubles competition
Union High School, Graaff-Reinet would like to extend its gratitude to Advanced Irrigation for their kind sponsorship of our 1st XI’s new team kit.
𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 and we cannot succeed without the generosity of supporters like Advanced Irrigation.
The kit – which includes a new set of whites and a T20 top – looks amazing and the boys can’t wait to get onto the field.
A big congratulations to Union’s 1st XI vice-captain Shaakir Kazi on his 𝟲-𝗪𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗟 against East London’s Lilyfontein during Union High School’s Annual Senior Cricket Festival.
He ended with the figures: 14 overs – 6 wickets – 48 runs.
2023 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗬 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 students, Fraser Davis and Robert Wallace, have arrived in South Africa!
The pair was picked up from the airport on Saturday, 14 January, after which they spent a sunny couple of days in Plettenberg Bay with Grade 7 learner Brett Kenmuir and his family.
While in Plett, the boys were treated with a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary and Monkeyland, which they enjoyed very much.
On Tuesday, 17 January, they were settled into Union’s Herby Arnott House by the Kenmuir and Mills families, who will be taking care of them this term.
𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 to Union High School, Graaff-Reinet learner 𝗕𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗺𝗸𝗲, who completed his very first triathlon successfully this past weekend.
Hosted in Gqbergha on Saturday, 14 January, the Nelson Mandela Bay Triathlon Championships saw Ben compete in the Youth Category, which entails a 350m sea swim, a 10km cycle, and finally, a 2.5km run (sprint!).
We were very fortunate to be able to start our year off by celebrating some of our staff’s 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦.
While we continue to reiterate that the
𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙙𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 and 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 by all staff is noticed, greatly appreciated and worthy of recognition, in this particular event we honoured two members of staff who have been with Union for 10 and 15 years respectively.
