On Friday, 18 October, an eager group of cricketers from Lorraine Primary School in Port Elizabeth arrived in Graaff-Reinet to play a T20 match under lights at the Botanics, followed by a limited over match on Saturday morning at Union.
Friday evening’s T20 started with Lorraine winning the toss and choosing to bat first. They posted a well worked 120/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Much needed rain interrupted play during the second innings, which resulted in the match being abandoned. While Union’s young cricketers enjoyed the opportunity to play under lights again, it was a first for the Lorraine side.
On Saturday morning, clear skies promised a full day’s cricket. Lorraine once again opted to bat first.
For the first time this term, Union’s u/13A cricketers managed to put together a well-executed bowling attack, led by Shaakir Kazi and Thokozani Mpanza, who put Lorraine under pressure from the start.
Union only conceded 15 extras and managed to bowl their opponents out for 91 in 26 overs. Unfortunately, all the hard work was undone by a poor bating performance and Union was bowled out for 49 in 13 overs, losing the match by 42 runs.
On Saturday, 12 October, Union’s u/13A cricketers played a 50-over match against the u/13B side of Port Elizabeth’s Grey Junior School.
In lovely sunny weather, Union won the toss and elected to bat first.
Union’s top order laid a solid foundation, but, in the end, a lack of concentration led to the batsmen only managing a score of 119
Union’s bowlers then replied with a calculated attack. Unfortunately, they struggled to keep the batsmen under pressure, which allowed Grey to reach Union’s total with 7 wickets to spare.
With many of the school’s athletes competing in multiple sporting codes, it is often difficult for the Union Schools to field a large team of biathletes due to other weekend sports commitments.
With the third league event of the biathlon season being held mid-week – on Wednesday, 9 October – it was fortunately possible for the school to field a larger-than-usual team, with thirteen biathletes travelling to Port Elizabeth to compete.
Despite the weather being somewhat chilly and fairly wet, the conditions were actually close to ideal for a good performance all-round. This was reflected in the big improvement in points scored by most of the athletes this week.
The learners’ stellar efforts saw some of them being selected to represent the EP teams in their respective age groups during the upcoming EP Championships which will be held in Port Elizabeth next Saturday, 19 October.
Congratulations to Mia Botha (A team), Mack Rubidge (B team), Jade Shires (B team), Elia Railton (B team), Bowen Langmead (Development team), Drew Dobinson (Development team), Rebecca Copeman (Development team) and Tyra Binney (Development team).
On Saturday, 5 October, 10 athletes represented Union High School at the annual Bestmed TAMS Superspar Madibaz Top 10 athletics meet held on the tartan athletics track at the Cradock Sports Stadium.
The 2019 event featured a total of 80 teams, with the Union athletes’ enthusiasm evident in their participation despite the heat.
Union would like to congratulate Iviwe Ndamane, who came second in the Mens u/19 800m, and Erin Mitchell, who came third in the Girls u/16 High Jump, on their outstanding performances.
Although Matthew Carelse didn’t receive a medal, he ran an excellent time of 53,53 seconds in the Boys u/17 400m and contributed 722 points towards Union High School’s total.
Union is eagerly anticipating the athletics meeting against Hoër Volkskool on Wednesday, 16 October. Athletes are encouraged to enter and spectators are more than welcome to come and support the school.
Union High School’s learners enjoyed their annual inter-house cross-country meet this afternoon (Wednesday, 2 October).
The school is fortunate that our main sports facilities are bordered by beautiful surroundings that allow our cross-country runners easy access to a series of runs catering for all ages and abilities from our own doorstep.
This annual event, which is aimed at increasing participation in competitive sport, sees everyone taking part with a chance to win points for their House, in a competition that is both keenly contested but also fun.
All age groups ran separately and staff were impressed with the levels of enthusiasm, fitness and commitment to this event – all learners should be proud of their efforts.
After tallying all the points accrued by the respective athletes of Arnott House and Daly House during the recent inter-house cross-country event, Daly House emerged the winner with 88 points to Arnott’s 84.
On Saturday, 21 September UHS 1st XI joined forces against SACS on the Minnaar Field. SACS batted first and were bowled out for 107. Brett Amsterdam 7 for 28. Union batted and scored 131 – 24 run lead. Brett Amsterdam 23; Lunga Zantsi 20.
SACS 2nd innings scored 182 – declared. Union needed 158. Union scored 93 for 5. Bowen Langmead 41; Luke Mc Naughton 28. Union lost by 65 runs.
It’s difficult enough to take fifers and six-wicket-hauls but imagine 7! In their declaration match against SACS today on Union’s Minnaar Field, Union High School’s Brett Amsterdam wrought havoc with the ball claiming 7 wickets, conceding very few runs while doing so.
Well done Brett!
UHS vs Paarl Boys’ High
Union High School’s 1st XI faced off against Paarl Boys’ High School today, Sunday, 22 September.
Due to rain, the scheduled declaration match was changed to a 35 over match. Union batted first and scored 177 for 7. Union’s best batsmen were Jaden Brotherton (54), Bowen Langmead (64) and Brett Amsterdam (45).
Paarl Boys’ then went in to bat. They managed to score 181 for 4.
Union lost by 6 wickets.
UHS vs Paul Roos Gymnasium
Union High School’s 1st XIs faced Paul Roos Gymnasium in a declaration match on Monday, 23 September. Union batted first and were bowled out for 107. Trevor Moos scored 32 and Luke McNaughton 28.
Paul Roos then scored 260 for 4. James Pienaar was Union’s best bowler in this inning, taking 2 for 67.
When Union went in to bat for their second innings, Paul Roos needed 5 wickets for an outright win, with a 153 run lead. With the day ending at 17:30, Union needed to bat the day out. They, unfortunately, lost their last wicket in the final over of the day, with the score on 133.
Union’s best batsmen were Jaden Brotherton (41), Bowen Langmead (38) and Brett Amsterdam (21 not out).
Unfortunately, the result doesn’t reflect the high standard of cricket the boys played.
UHS vs Wynberg
Union’s 1st XI faced Wynberg Boys’ High School in a 50-over match today, Tuesday, 24 September, on the last day of the 2019 Cape Schools’ Cricket Week.
Union batted first and were bowled out for 97. Zu Ngwane made 17 runs and Caerwyn Spence 13 not out.
Wynberg managed to pass the score with 5 wickets down. Brett Amsterdam was Union’s best bowler, taking 4 for 40 in 10 overs.
Union lost the match by 5 wickets.
Thank you Asante Sana!
One of the higlights of this year’s Cape Schools’ Cricket Week was playing at Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, where the appearance of animals on the field of play proved to be entertaining distractions from the regular cricketing fare.
A heartfelt word of thanks is extended to Richard and Kitty Viljoen for this incredible opportunity!
Last schools match for these lads
One can only begin to imagine the emotion.
Cape Schools’ Cricket Week 2019 served as the last schoolboy cricket festival for five Union Grade 12 1st XI players.
Union thanks them for the years of entertainment they provided and their exemplary contribution to the game of cricket at Union.
Union 1st XI cricketer Caerwyn Spence received his 50th cap on Sunday, 22 September during the Cape Schools Cricket Week from Headmaster, Mr William Pringle before the match against Paarl Boys High.
Well done Caerwyn!
Congratulations to Matthew Hesselink, Kyle-Luke du Preez and MJ Newton who received their 1st Team Cricket Caps before the match against Paarl Boys High.
The Bestmed TAMS Superspar Madibaz Top 10 athletics meeting will take place at the Cradock Sports Stadium on Saturday, 5 October.
The popular event will be hosted by Cradock High School (CHS) for the 14th consecutive year.
Since its inception as a high school athletics event in 2006, it has grown to one of the biggest school athletics events in the country, catering for the top athletes from at least 40 schools in the Eastern and Western Cape.
This year, the following learners will be representing Union High School at this prestigious event:
(back, left to right) Dylan Petitt, Iviwe Ndamane, Liyabona Teyise
(Middle, left to right) Erin Mitchell, Zuan Vos, Ntsika Ngongoma, Matthew Carelse
(Front, left to right) Lana Bouwer, Brigitte Oelofsen, Singalakha Mapekula
(absent) Elia Railton
Months of dedicated practice, matches and trials have resulted in a young Union cricketer being selected to represent his province.
One can only begin to imagine the emotion.
Union 1st XI cricketer Caerwyn Spence received his 50th cap on Sunday, 22 September during the Cape Schools Cricket Week from Headmaster, Mr William Pringle before the match against Paarl Boys High.
