United Cricket Club (Counties Manukau) Incorporated

United Cricket Club Reserve 1 started the 2008-09 season with a bang with a crushing 7-wicket win over Karaka Red.

Batting first, Karaka Red were restricted to 149 for 7 off their alloted 45 overs by a combination of restrictive bowling & some excellent ground fielding by the United XI. The first 15 overs yielded just 24 runs with 1 wicket down, with Lawrence Minchinton, Shane Lovell, Liam Jackson & Callum Jude maintaining an accurate line & length. The 2nd wicket partnership took Karaka Red to 115, before Thomas Raybould got the vital breakthrough in his eighth over. He was slammed for a six off the second ball of his ninth over, but that spelled trouble for the visitors as the next three deliveries yielded him the first hat-trick of the season. Although the home team's ground fielding was exemplary, they dropped three clear chances, Liam Jackson being the unlucky bowler on every such occasion.

United's chase started confidently, with a solid platform laid by their openers Rick Eastham (8) & Josh Burgess (39 not out) who added 30 for the first wicket, well ahead of the required run rate. The next two wickets fell cheaply, leaving the score at 34 for 3 off 10 overs. This brought Lee Ter Huurne (48 not out) to the crease, who, along with Josh assured that there were no further hiccups & a 7-wicket victory was achieved with 12 overs to spare. United's chase was duly assisted by the Karaka Red bowlers conceding 47 wides in a total Extras tally of 55.