Fraser Davis and Robert Wallace from Salisbury Cathedral School in the UK will be joining us in Grade 7 for the duration of Term 1, after which two Union learners, Zoรซ Mills and Brett Kenmuir, will be heading to Salisbury for Term 2.
In Union’s T20 against Daniรซl 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). Daniรซl 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 yearโs 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.ย ย ย
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 Daniรซl 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 Unionโs Murray and Puttick fields as well as at the Botanics Sports Grounds, Hoรซr Volkskool, Asante Sana Private Game Reserve and Wheatlands Farm, with each venueโs 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.
Unionโs sports organiser, Mr Calvin Beck, believes this yearโs tournamentโs success was largely due to the well-managed facilities where all the cricket matches were played. โIt was amazing. The facilities and conditions were excellent. All those involved must be given credit for the outstanding cricketing conditions.โ
The school extends its grateful thanks to all participating teams as well as to Hoรซr Volkskool, Wheatlands Farm, Asante Sana Game Reserve and the Botanics Sports Grounds for making their facilities available for many of the matches.
