Union High School hosts another successful cricket festival
GRAAFF-REINET — Union High School hosted the 12th Annual Mica Cricket Festival from January 11 to 13.
Ten teams participated in the festival, including Glenwood (Durban), Stirling High, Grey High, Daniel Pienaar, Brandwag, Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl Boys, Milnerton and Marlow.
Union played Glenwood from Durban in a declaration match on the first day, and the boys expected tough opposition.
Glenwood won the toss, elected to bat first and scored 237/10. Union went in to bat but struggled and lost wickets at constant intervals. The Union boys managed to score 120/10. Union lost the game by 118 runs. Cowan Swartz bowled very well and took a 5-wicket haul.
On the second day, Union High played a 50-over match against Stirling. Union won the toss and elected to bat first. The batsmen applied themselves much better and scored 217/8. Stirling went in to bat and batted well, but at the end of the day Union High was good enough to close the game out and secured a victory. Once again Cowan Swartz batted well and scored an unbeaten 58 not out.
On the final day of the festival, Union played a Pro-20 game against Milnerton from Cape Town. Union won the toss and elected to bat first. A fantastic opening partnership between Ronan Retief and Brett Amsterdam saw Union reach 134/0 after 15 overs. After Ronan was dismissed the run rate decreased, but steady innings from Brett ensured a very good total of 166/4 after 20 overs.
Milnerton went in to bat and the Union boys took early wickets. Milnerton reached a total of 139/8 and Union High won the game by 27 runs. Ronan Retief scored a blistering 83 and Brett Amsterdam batted out 20 overs and scored an unbeaten 56 runs.
Union thanks their sponsor, Mica, for their contribution to the success of this tournament.
As always, the cricket moms were also very hands-on in preparing the food and hosting the cocktail party for the visiting coaches. Thanks are also extended to all involved for their constant support and willingness to host the school’s visitors. And last, but not least, the Union school and hostel staff are thanked for without their commitment and hard work a festival such as this would never be possible.
Once again, Union High has hosted a very successful Senior Cricket Festival. Union is grateful to the schools that have travelled so far, and to their coaches for giving up a part of their holiday time, to attend what is always a very important event on the Union High calendar. As always, the cricket moms were very hands-on in preparing the food and hosting the cocktail party for the visiting coaches. Union High School’s first team cricketers. Union thanks their sponsor, Mica, for their contribution to the success of this tournament.