Bulldogs win T20 Conference Final

Premier Grade Cricket 9th and 10th January 2021

Kingsgrove Sports Thunder Conference Twenty20 Cup Preliminary Final

The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs started the New Year with a bang winning the Final of the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Competition at Memorial Oval on Sunday and scoring a narrow victory over Parramatta at Old Kings in a one-day match on Saturday.,

In the Thunder Conference of the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup competition the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs devastated Parramatta at Bankstown Memorial Oval. The visitors batted first and were in all sorts of trouble from the outset. Allrounder Ben Le Bas was the destroyer with a magnificent 4-21 which set the Doggies on the path to victory and a spot in the final. The inform Le Bas ripped through the Parramatta top order and left them stunned. Fellow left arm spinner Ben Taylor was again amongst the wickets and had little trouble beating the bat to claim 3-18. Ever young Aaron Bird showed his potency with 2-13 to finish off the Parramatta innings at 131 off 19.4 overs. Daniel Solway ensured the Doggies dominated with the willow and he scored a typically stylish 40. Zeeshaan Ahmed has had a great season with the bat and is learning plenty from the established Solway. Ahmed compiled a lightning 53 off just 29 deliveries whilst Jake Cormack added 15 not out and the Bulldogs cruised to a stunning win passing the Parramatta total in the 16th over. The Bulldogs will now play winners of the Sixers Conference, University of NSW on Australia Day for the chance to be crowned NSW T20 Champions for 2020/21.

In the Belvidere Cup Limited Overs match on Saturday the Bulldogs batted first in bowler friendly conditions. It was not a great start as Bankstown lost 2-14 against a lively Parra pace attack. The visitors soon recovered with prolific NSW run getter Daniel Solway and stellar performer Jake Cormack leading the way. Solway was at his stylish best with a majestic 95 which got the Bulldogs barking, his defiant knock wresting the initiative from the home side and helped Bankstown compile 5-278 after the 50 overs. Cormack has been in stunning form all season and is proving a nightmare for opposing bowlers. His 102 was a magnificent crowd pleaser with 3 savage sixes the highlight. Ironically his first innings this season was a duck. After that temporary hiccup he has hammered bowlers all over Sydney. To highlight this he has rattled the pickets relentlessly with scores of 74,47,70,20,40,101,26,64,88 and 102. Throughout the Bulldogs history few have done better wielding the willow and he is proving to be an entertainer extraordinaire. Mitch Brown chimed in with a very handy cameo plundering 41 in an exhilarating 99 minutes at the crease. In reply Parramatta started poorly with 2-9 but akin to the Bulldogs fought back strongly. Brad Simpson with his lively pace and hostile Liam Marshall struck the first blows for Bankstown. They continued to stun the Parra batting which set up a Doggies victory in a very close game. The pace pair kept the pressure on all innings with Simpson taking 3-51 in his fiery 10 over spell. Liam Marshall continued his wonderful form this season with 3-64 from his 10 and as usual proved a handful for all batsmen. Parramatta ended 8-265 giving the Bulldogs a 13-run win.

Next week in another 50 over game, Bankstown are back home against Northern District and the game will start at 10a.m.

Second Grade

First grade thought they had a close game, but it was nothing compared to Seconds Grade at Bankstown with the game coming down to the last ball and what a thriller it was with the Doggies prevailing. Bankstown batted first and battled away to score 9-196 after the 50 overs. Skipper Tony Clark was very disappointed with the fact so many batsmen got a start, but nobody scored over 50. Mitchell Hinds compiled 41 which included two explosive sixes and some flowing drives whilst Ryan Clark fought hard for his defiant 36. Top score however went to Niran Wijewardene who hammered 43 in a striking cameo which proved invaluable. Parramatta tried hard but fell at the last hurdle. Daniel Burns is relishing his return to the Bulldogs and claimed 2-27 with his wily spinners whilst skipper Tony Clark was his usual accurate self and took 2-34. Mat Bursa snared the bowling honours with 2-19 in another great spell. He is a lively player and is proving a vital cog in the Bulldogs armoury.

Fourth grade

It seemed to be a spate of narrow victories last weekend with Fourth grade beaten by Parramatta 136 to 137 at Kelso Park North. Bulldog Brady Polkinghorne was the destroyer for the home side with a magnificent 4-15 in his superb spell. Bryan Handunneththi was in fine form with his 3-48 in his 10 overs. Prashanthan Sivapragasam was also right on target with a containing 2-25 from his tidy 10 overs. Ethan Prideaux top scored for Bankstown with a defiant 31 whilst Handunneththi completed a fine match with 25 in chasing Parramatta’s total.

Alas third grade and fifth grade had to be abandoned because the Parramatta home grounds were closed. Thirds were due to play at Merrylands and Fifths at Castlewood, so it was a major disappointment for the young Bulldogs.