United Cricket Club (Counties Manukau) Incorporated

United Cricket went into bat, and it wasn't long until our skipper Nicky Moa was flat on his back from a horrible bouncer, hitting Nicky in the temple which saw Nicky being carted off to hospital in an ambulance. With a slowish start with Rick Eastham and Chris Farnell at the crease, 56/1 at the 20-over mark. The intensity increased when legend AJ Stewart stepped-in and saw the ball like a watermelon from the first ball, hitting a fantastic 54, the team score rocketing to 178 after 40 overs.
Putting Puke Metro Blue Ducks in to bat after a short break, United sort of lost their way with some poor bowling and fielding. This saw openers Westie and Coughey reach a 136-run opening partnership. After some changes to the bowlers and some positive fielding, Shane Stanley (a new player to United Cricket this season) was asked to bowl. The breakthrough appeared very quickly, in fact Shane rattled the top five batsmen in very quick order, ending his bowling figures at 5-15 after 4 overs. This sees Shane on our Honours Board on his debut for the club. Well done Shane! Although United Cricket didn't win, it was a good day of cricket apart from the injured skipper whom we all wish a speedy recovery.