Stags stump Bulldogs

The Gordon Stags gave the Bulldogs the run around at Chatswood last Saturday in the first grade fixture. The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs chased leather all day as Gordon amassed 6-423. The home side took charge from the outset with a 56-run opening stand. Wallace Marshall removed Cahlin for 25 courtesy of a good catch from Ethen Leten. Then Ben Le Bas dismissed skipper Colley with the help of Michael Stretton and the Stags were 2-75. The Bulldogs' joy was shortlived as Gordon put together a massive 175-run stand. Nathan McAndrew fought back to dismiss Eccles for 88 and once again Leten held a smart chance. Left arm spinner Ben Taylor was bang on target with two classic dismissals which helped curtail the run flow. Taylor comes from Canberra and is described by Bulldogs coach Gary Crowfoot as a formidable talent. The spinner flights the ball aggressively and has a big future. He trapped Richtor LBW and had his namesake Taylor very well caught by Solway. However Gordon continued to dominate with Evans racing to 153. Eventually he was well caught by Marshall with Kyle Brockley the wicket taker. The Bulldogs have been set an onerous task but have the firepower to match the Stags especially with Solway in stellar form. On Sunday Bankstown played two Twenty-20 games at Memorial. The Bulldogs beat Wests but found Penrith far too strong. Second Grade After a delayed start on Saturday Bankstown ripped into Gordon at Memorial. The Stags stumbled against a Bulldogs pace blitz spearheaded by Rhys Williams. The tall strongly-built quick troubled all batsmen and had them ducking and weaving as he claimed 4-42. Daniel Slane gave great support with 3-56 and was a perfect foil for the speedster. He clean bowled two of his victims. The Bankstown fielding was top notch with 8 catches taken. Chris Ridley took 2 difficult ones from the speedy Williams and the captain also claimed two. In reply Matt Smith’s side has started confidently in their quest for 226. At stumps the Bulldogs were 0-62 with newcomer Matt Dedes a classy 35. The stylish opener hammered five forceful boundaries and received great support from Matt Simpson with 24 not out Third Grade Skipper Iain Ridley continued his stellar season with an imposing 71 against Gordon last Saturday. Fresh from his record 153 the captain once again mastered the bowling with 9 punishing boundaries and a stunning six. Nivethan Radhakrishnan added a fighting 36 and Mansuhk Singh a useful 20. Zaheer Ahmed contributed 23 in good style. Dayne Heward was in good touch with 19 not out as the Bulldogs fought hard to score 239. Fourth grade The Stags and Bulldogs are locked in an intriguing tussle at Jensen. Gordon scored just 107 but Bankstown are struggling with 8-88. On an awkward pitch the visitors could not handle Chris Stefanish who ripped through them with 5-15 from 13 incisive overs. He proved Gordon’s nemesis with some brilliant bowling from his destructive spell. He beat the bat repeatedly and received great support from Koby Layton who always seems to be in the action and slipped in with 2-35. Ian Schipp claimed 2-6 to wind up the innings. The hope of the side next week is Bulldog Damien Loy who fought on stoically to 39 not out as wickets tumbled all around him. Fifth grade Gordon scored 7-282 at Beauchamp which is a most competitive score. Blake Pearson worked up good pace with 2-22 to continue his great form this season and Daniel Carr also chimed in with two victims.