Congratulations to Jaden Brotherton and Bowen Langmead on being awarded their 50th test caps for Union’s 1st XI before the match against Stirling.
Eight Union biathletes were invited to represent the Eastern Province at the Highgate Inter-Provincial competition in Oudtshoorn this past Saturday, 1 February.
They were Jakobus Reynolds, Mack Rubidge, Bowen Langmead, Mia Botha, Rebecca Copeman, Jade Shires, Elias Railton and Tyra Binney.
Of these eight, two were able to attend.
Youngsters Mia Botha (Grade 4) and Rebecca Copeman (Grade 6) showed true grit, taking on the best of the best in sweltering 37˚C weather.
Facing some stiff competition from the likes of the Boland, Border, Eden, Southern Free State and Western Province, the two biathletes were in high spirits, performing to the best of their abilities and representing their school and province very well.
This past weekend, Union’s 1st XI faced Stirling High School in a declaration match played over two days.
The match, which commenced on Friday afternoon, 31 January, and concluded on Saturday, 1 February, saw Stirling winning the toss and electing to bat first at the start of play.
Union managed to bowl 43 overs in the allotted time for the day and had Stirling at 129 for 6 at the close of play.
On Saturday, Stirling resumed their innings and Union managed to strike early with two quick wickets.
Union, however, couldn’t capitalise on their efforts and allowed Stirling to reach a total of 184 all out.
Union’s best bowlers were Jaden Brotherton (3 for 21), James Pienaar (2 for 16) and Kyle-Luke du Preez (2 for 22).
Despite a solid start when Union went in to bat, they continued to lose wickets regularly and struggled to put partnerships together resulting in Union being bowled out for 132.
The Union team members who performed best with the bat during their first innings were James Pienaar (33) and James Pringle (29).
This resulted in Stirling proceeding with their second innings with a 52-run lead.
With Union needing to take only 5 wickets to restrict Stirling from gaining a substantial lead, they had the perfect start taking a wicket with the very first ball.
Union proceeded to bowl well and had Stirling at 19 for 2 in their second innings.
Unfortunately, the Union team was unable to sustain the needed pressure and Stirling managed to score 120 for 3, declaring with a 172-run lead.
Union needed to, therefore, score 173 runs to win the match with only 5 wickets in hand, however, Stirling declared late in the day leaving Union only 40 minutes to bat with them trying to take the 5 wickets for victory.
In the end, Union managed to bat out the time losing only one wicket for 30 runs.
Union’s best batsmen were James Pienaar (19 not out) and Jaden Brotherton (11 not out).
The match ended in a draw.
• Congratulations to Jaden Brotherton and Bowen Langmead on being awarded their 50th test caps for Union’s 1st XI before the match against Stirling.
Eleven Union High School swimmers participated in the ‘B’ Age Group Gala at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 1 February, competing in 24 events in total.
It was a debut meeting for swimmers Grace Kemp, Matthew Davenport, Daniel Marais and Luc Railton. These swimmers did very well and will now be able to compete to improve their times at future meetings.
Standout performances included Tya Binney, James Potgieter and Max Price who swam two Personal Bests each.
Well done to all those who participated!
Since their induction as prefects, Union’s new learner leaders have been great ambassadors for the school, showing tremendous commitment to UHS and to their respective duties as prefects.
As the year starts to take hold in earnest, the prefects were treated to a laid-back 24-hours in Nieu-Bethesda, during which they relaxed in each other’s company, played some fierce Monopoly, relished in the sound of rain on a tin roof, engaged in 1-bounce and relay tennis, enjoyed delicious pizza at a local restaurant and generally got to know each other better on an informal basis.
We hope the prefects are feeling energised and ready for all that lies ahead in 2020 and wish them all the best in exercising their duties this year.
Onwards and upwards!
The 2020 Interschools encounter between the Union Schools and Laer and Hoër Volkskool, will this year kick off on Monday, 3 August, and culminate on Saturday, 8 August, with the clash between the two schools’ 1st XVs.
All those planning on attending this year’s Interschools are advised to make their accommodation arrangements as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
The organisers of this year’s reunions are asked to please send their details through to uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za or 061 3108343 – the school would like to get in touch with you.
Union High School is exceptionally proud of its rich tradition and reputation for sporting excellence on the cricket field.
The history of Union High School credits Mr Herby Arnott, a legendary headmaster at Union High School during the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, with establishing cricket as one of the school’s premier sports.
Having been a superior player himself, and with his firm belief in the value of cricket as an educational tool, Herby Arnott developed cricket at the school with vigour during his tenure as headmaster.
Ever since, the success of Union’s cricket can be attributed to the legions of passionate players and coaches who have ensured that the greatest of games continues to flourish within the confines of Union’s magnificent grounds.
In honour of all these cricket players who have made the sport at the school what it is today, Union has erected a permanent reminder of the best batting and bowling performances in the history of the sport at Union.
Affixed to the walls of the Tony Burrell Union is a brand new permanent installation of cricket plaques celebrating all the centuries and five-wicket hauls made by Union’s cricketers.
It is hoped that the installation, which was officially unveiled during the 2020 Founders’ Weekend, will serve as an incentive for Union’s cricketers to excel, and by so doing, earn themselves a lasting place in the history of Union’s cricket – alongside some of Union’s greatest players.
• Old Unionites, visitors, parents and the school’s young cricketers are invited to have a look at the installation when next at the Tony Burrell Union – it truly provides a wonderful walk down memory lane.
• Any Old Boys who played the sport are also encouraged to let us know if a batting or bowling performance has been omitted on the installation. Send through any information pertaining to the above to uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za
