GEORGE NEWS - It was a big weekend for both Union Stars teams as the Oudtshoorn-based outfits came out on top of their Six Gun Grill SWD Cricket Premier League fixtures on Saturday. Union Stars I is now the only unbeaten side in the competition and moves to the number one position on the table.
In a scintillating high-scoring clash at the Bridgton Sport Grounds, Union Stars I chased down a mammoth 264 runs to move to the top of the leaderboard following a 2-wicket victory against Sussex, who were unbeaten before the encounter.
Sussex, batting first, posted a competitive 263/9 after 50 overs thanks to impressive batting performances by Johandré Barnard (58), Lindl Trim (49) and Geronovan Erasmus 45.
It was however Yaseen Valli (112) who produced a match-winning batting performance, and steered the ship as Union Stars I surpassed the target (264/8) with three balls to spare. Valli received good support from Keenan Arries (38), Jean Heunis (35) and Corné Kennedy (23).
Yasneen Valli drove the victory home for Union Stars, batting for 112 runs against Sussex.
Union Stars II posted 164/4 against George at the Rooirivier sportsground. Thanks to a solid batting performance by Gerrit Badenhorst the home side were strongly positioned to take the honours, but Emile Titus (3/18), Wildré-Hano Wessels (2/29) and Shannon Opperman (2/34) had other ideas as George was dismissed for 156 with the first ball of the final over, giving Union Stars II a nail-biting 6-run victory.
The match between Pacaltsdorp United and Knysna Cavaliers has been re-scheduled due to Pacaltsdorp's involvement in the Western Cape T20 play-off matches in Cape Town. The fixture between Harlequins and Plett Pioneers has also been re-scheduled.
The summarised score cards for the weekend
n Union Stars II beat George by 6 runs:
Union Stars II 164/6 - 50 overs (Jean Bruiners 33, Wildré-Hano Wessels 30, Emile Titus 29, Kevin Owens 3/20, Henry Griffiths 2/20)
George 156 all out - 49.1 overs (Gerrit Badenhorst 85, De Wet Steyn 22, Emile Titus 3/18, Wildré-Hano Wessels 2/29, Shannon Opperman 2/34)
n Union Stars I beat Sussex by 2 wickets:
Sussex 263/9 (50 overs) (Johandre Barnard 58, Lindl Trim 49, Geronovan Erasmus 45, Yamkela Xakani 3/31, Corne Kennedy 2/48, Jean Heunis 2/67)
Union Stars I 264/8 (49.3 overs) (Yaseen Vali 112, Keenan Arries 38, Jean Heunis 35, Corné Kennedy 23, Keanu Witbooi 4/66)
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