T20 Kingsgrove Sports Cup WIN

Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup Grand Final 2020-21

Thunder Conference Winner Bankstown versus Sixers Conference Winner Uni of NSW

In a wonderful start to the City of Canterbury Bankstown’s 2021 sporting year, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs easily won the Grand Final of the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup Grand Final at Memorial Oval on Australia Day. The Daniel Solway led side have carried all before them throughout the ‘Thunder Conference’ half of the T20 competition and were highly motivated to be crowned NSW T20 Champions after falling just short of winning the title last season. The Barking Bulldogs played an exciting brand of cricket all tournament and took the sting out of the ‘Sixers Conference’ winning University of NSW Bumble Bees. The home side hammered 6-184 which put plenty of pressure on the visitors to chase down the imposing target. It was a stellar start by the Bulldogs batsmen with Nick Carruthers exploding into action from the first ball. The rampaging opener hammered a spectacular 41 off just 15 deliveries, including four towering sixes. Carruthers’ opening partner Daniel Solway was more technically correct in style but just as effective on the scoreboard, compiling a majestic 56. Solway was in terrific touch, driving sweetly, unleashing elegant square cuts and powerful pull shots. He was deservedly won the ‘Player of the Final’ Medal.Youngster Zeeshaan Ahmed contributed a free flowing 26 – he is displaying solid form in all formats of the game this season and definitely a rising star of the game. Jake Cormack again impressed with 28 to continue his stellar season whilst ever reliable Daniel Nicotra added a useful 17 at the death. The Students started their reply confidently with a 28-run stand but that was the end of their resistance. Once again, the Bulldog bowlers worked in pairs to ensure maximum pressure on all batsmen. Left arm spinner Ben Taylor led the charge with 3-26 and gave the batsmen few options to score without playing high risk shots. Speedster Brad Simpson unleashed some dynamic deliveries snaring 2-15, whilst the ever-reliable Ben Le Bas captured 2-23 as the visitors were dismissed for 114. In normal circumstances the Bulldogs would travel to Adelaide to represent NSW at the National T20 Championships, however COVID restrictions have meant this year’s tournament has been cancelled.

Premier Grade Cricket Round 12

Saturday 30/01/2021

Lion’s Roar Silences Bulldogs

The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs are struggling in the first-grade clash against the Fairfield Lions at Rosedale. The top order of the Doggies which has batted so well all season capitulated with not so much of a whimper. Zeeshaan Ahmed, Daniel Solway and Nick Carruthers all scored the dreaded duck as the Lions roared their ascendancy. Mitchell Hinds halted the wickets flow with a defiant 28. However middle order resistance with Daniel Nicotra and allrounder Ben Taylor temporarily silenced the Lion’s roar. Nicotra has been the find of the season in many ways and all are impressed with his stylish strokeplay. His 34 was in typical defiance keeping the Dogs in the game. Taylor has come to the rescue on many occasions when Bankstown has struggled, cutting and driving with aplomb with a classy and valuable innings of 50. Wicketkeeper Matt Simpson was again amongst the runs with 26 and he is enjoying a fine season. Liam Marshall added 17 and it was a useful knock indeed whilst fellow paceman Brad Simpson was left 12 not out but overall, it was a disappointing effort to finish with 184. Bankstown was hoping to capture a few wickets before stumps, but the Lion’s were on the prowl and finished with 0-35.

Fourth grade 

The fourths struggled with 131 at Kelso Park North. Manoj Weerasingham was in good touch and held defiant whilst others capitulated. His 42 was a stylish knock with concentration and application the hallmark with Max Clissold scoring a fighting 20 late in the innings. The Bankstown Bulldogs fought back with 2-4 to leave the match evenly poised. A couple of early wickets next week will make things very interesting indeed.

Second, Third and Fifth Grade matches were all washed out and will be played in one-day format next Saturday. The Poidevin Gray Shield semi-final on Sunday was also washed out, Unfortunately the Bulldogs were in fourth place, so won’t progress to the Thunder Conference Final.