Waratahs claim points / Big win in T20 v Syd Uni

Premier Grade Cricket

Round 5 v Manly + T20 v Sydney Uni

The Bankstown Sports Club Bulldogs lost to the Manly Waratahs at Manly Oval last Saturday. The home side batted first and compiled a solid 9-242. Hostile paceman Liam Marshall continues the proud history of the Bulldogs Kennel in producing top class quicks. Pascoe and Thomson are evidence of this. Marshall took 3-38 and blasted through the Waratahs who wilted under the pressure. A very promising young talent indeed, Ben Le Bas, tied up the middle order with his flight and guile to claim 2-27. Matt Simpson again was outstanding behind the stumps with 3 smart catches and his usual competency showing he is a talented gloveman.

In reply the Bulldogs looked in good touch with a 51 run opening stand. However, disaster struck with the run out of leviathan run getter Nick Carruthers for 38. Carruthers has had a wonderful start to the season and looked set for another big score when he lost his wicket. Mitch Brown celebrated the birth of daughter Lily with a sparkling and stylish 48. Ever reliable all-rounder Nathan McAndrew was again in form with 39. Unfortunately, Jake Cormack was another run out victim for 20. At 5-160 Bankstown looked a chance but the tail failed to wag and the visitors slumped to 194. 

Next Saturday the Bulldogs are out to sink the Eastern Suburbs Dolphins at Memorial. The match will be live streamed onto the Bankstown Cricket Club website for those who cannot make it to the superb Memorial Oval courtesy of Life Member David Clifton, the computer guru who is certainly a valued asset to the Doggies. 

Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 

Round 6 of the competition saw Bankstown travel to Sydney University. The Bulldogs won the toss and batted, a decision that almost came back to bite. With both openers gone for single figures each and followed soon after by captain McAndrew, it was Mitch Hinds who attempted to steady the innings with some lofty hitting to the boundary. Along with Jake Cormack, the pair put on a very much needed 62-run partnership in quick time before Hinds was bowled for 37. Cormack then took over and used his great array of skills to deftly glide the ball behind the wickets as well as rattle the pickets a few times. Cormack was finally caught on 40 but had helped get the Bulldogs’ total to a decent total. Aaron Bird and Ben Taylor provided some tail-end runs that proved invaluable. Bankstown’s 8/115 off their allotted 20 overs had most experts at the ground agreeing it was well short of a defendable score. But that was before the Bulldogs bowlers showed their smarts and the fielders showed their commitment. While University got off to a great start, once the wickets started falling, they simply kept on tumbling - primarily due to excellent bowling coupled with fantastic fielding. Wickets were shared between the bowlers, but it was the bowlers’ calculated line and length that frustrated the Students. Ben Le Bas was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 19 but quicks Marshall 2-16 and McAndrew 2-18 chimed in with real heat. University lost their last 7 wickets for just 23 runs which highlights the intense pressure the Bulldogs applied. Mitch Hinds set the standard with a great side-on direct hit run out and this was followed by simply brilliant outfield catches by Aaron Bird with two and Brad Simpson, who both took absolute screamers after running 20 metres. Jake Cormack also chipped in with a sharp reflex take that signalled the end. Captain McAndrew had the pleasure of clean bowling the final wicket leaving Sydney University reeling for just 90 runs and handing the Bulldogs what seemed like an unlikely victory but was in reality was quite a comprehensive win.

Second Grade 

A defiant 66 from Bulldog Ethan Debono enabled Bankstown to fight hard against Manly at Memorial Oval. Debono plundered 6 delightful boundaries and two stunning sixes in a wonderful knock under severe pressure. It was very much a lone hand by the talented young batsman although Mansukh Singh added 24 and Daniel Nicotra 21 in a total of 165.

The visitors had little difficulty with this target and cruised to 4-166 and victory. Skipper Tony Clark was the pick of the Bulldog bowlers with 2-14 in his accurate 6 over spell.

Third Grade 

The thirds completed a good win by dismissing Manly for a meagre 124. In reply the Bulldogs fought hard to get to 6-125 and victory. Blake Pearson waylaid the Waratahs with his hostility and pace taking 4-43, a well-deserved return for his talent. Muhammad Salman got the initial breakthrough and finished with 2-17 from 10 immaculate overs which really got the Bulldogs barking and was the catalyst for victory. Bilal Ali chimed in with 2-24 which curtailed the middle order. In reply the Bulldogs skipper Alex Kouventaris compiled a fighting defiant 32 while talented stroke maker Niran Wijewardene took the batting honours with a glorious 66 not out. He made sure the Bulldogs were barking loud and clear in his match winning innings.

Fourth grade

Bulldogs skipper Jehan Bilimoria won the toss and elected to bat. Bilal Ali top scored for Bankstown with a defiant and much needed 44 cutting and driving stylishly in an attractive knock. Ryan Malcolm was unfortunately run out for a fighting 24 just when he was looking in command. Bankstown finished their 50 overs on 9-143. In reply Manly cruised to 3-144 easily running down the target. Max Clissold had a great spell with 2-26 from 10 most economical overs being the best of the Bulldog bowlers.

Fifth Grade 

Manly batted first at Mike Pawley Oval and compiled 165. However this meagre total was just too many for the Bulldogs who were all out for 152. All the Bankstown bowlers contributed in a fine team effort but alas the batsmen failed. The exception was Tom Ramage who shone like a beacon in the night and proved indomitable. His 78 was very much a lone hand but sadly he lacked any support.