Tight win for Muir against Union

MUIR managed to eke out a narrow two-run victory over hosts Union High in Graaff-Reinet on Saturday.

Muir won the toss and chose to bat on a very hot and humid morning. Union made an early breakthrough in the first over, removing Lukhanyo Lukuzo with the score on three.

They bowled tightly, restricting the Muir batsmen to 59/3 at drinks after 20 overs.

Shortly after drinks Logan Henman, who scored 44, lost his wicket after batting beautifully in the first session.

The Muir batsmen were never put under much pressure but made things difficult for themselves with poor shots, losing wickets at regular intervals.

A few good knocks from Sine Tsotsa (30), Neo Pepeta (25) and Aakief Salie (23) ensured that a target could be put on the board.

Union’s best bowler was Matt Harper, who returned figures of 4/54 in 14 overs. Muir were bowled out in the 49th over for 166.

Union got off to a flying start, reaching 50 in the 11th over for the loss of no wickets.

Muir made the breakthrough with Union on 67 and started to put some pressure on the batsmen, who lost four wickets for 19 runs in some good fielding.

Union stabilised and put a decent partnership together midway through their innings, but an inspired bowling performance from Duncan McFarlane (4/35 in 11 overs) restricted them.

With Union needing less than 20 runs for victory and with 3 wickets in hand, Sham-oon Poovan came into the attack, bowling with great accuracy and late swing to take two wickets which set the visitors up for the win.

Union’s batsmen, with nine down and needing nine runs for victory, took a very cautious approach to try and win.

But Muir, after bowling close to 10 overs to the final pair, took the final wicket with Union only needing three runs for victory. Henman returned figures of 3/38 to help bowl Union out for 164.