Dogs run riot against Randwick
The Bankstown Sports Club Bulldogs received an early Christmas present last Saturday with a stunning victory against Randwick-Petersham.
The Bankstown bowlers ripped through the home side who were unceremoniously bundled out for a meagre 98. Nathan McAndrew was the chief destroyer with 4-28 in a devastating eight over spell moving the ball around disconcertingly and beating the bat repeatedly to set up victory. Tall and robust speedster Rhys Williams proved the perfect foil with 2-30 which kept the pressure on the home side. Kyle Brockley continues to impress with the ball and chimed in with 2-27 whilst cagey spinner Ben Taylor took 2-7. The Bankstown fieldsmen supported the bowlers to the hilt with acrobatic keeper and skipper Michael Stretton snaring three catches. Ethan Leten claimed two smart ones as did the ever-alert Ben Taylor. Daniel Solway held a useful one whilst Chris Ridley took a very sharp one off Williams. It was not a good day for former Bulldogs Anthony Sams and his brother Daniel who both were removed for ducks.
The Bankstown batsmen made short work of this paltry total which was not much of a challenge. The Bulldogs were really barking when they raced to 2-97 and a comprehensive win with a bonus point. Prolific run getter Daniel Solway was again in command with 28 not out. Also, it was great to see the classy Chris Ridley race to 57 with 9 sizzling boundaries and an imposing six. He has been a consistent scorer in seconds and thoroughly enjoyed his promotion to the top grade.
The Bulldogs play Blacktown at Bankstown Memorial on 6th Jan in a 50 overs game starting at 10.a.m.
Second Grade
The Bulldogs seconds were outplayed by Randwick at Memorial last Saturday. Bankstown batted first and totalled just 175 despite the best efforts of skipper Joel Brockley who scored a defiant 63 who certainly led by example with some scorching straight drives and savage square cuts. Matt Simpson chimed in with a typically elegant 35 which included two huge sixes. Matt Dedes added 20 but the rest of the batting was disappointing. Randwick clinched victory with 4-176 despite the best efforts of Ben Le Bas who claimed 2-29.
Third grade
In a thriller in thirds Bankstown’s 241 was just not enough as Randwick scored 9-242. Two familiar surnames appeared in this game with Peter Dignam playing alongside Andrew Dietz. Dignam is the son of legendary lefthander Steve Dignam and grandson of Margaret and Eris. He displayed all the typical Dignam aggression and a century appeared a formality but alas he was run out 22 runs short of the coveted triple figures. It was a very impressive knock though and he appears destined for higher honours. Dietz is the son of Jason a versatile Bulldog all-rounder and also a nephew of Sheffield Shield representative Shane. Consistent run getter Iain Ridley was again in fine touch with a stylish 48. Niran Wijewardene tried valiantly to bowl the Bulldogs to victory but just failed finishing with the excellent figures of 5-56 and beat the bat repeatedly. Nivethan Radhakrishnan took 2-41 in a solid bowling effort.
Fourth Grade
The fourths lost to Randwick at Jensen when their 175 proved just short of the required 187. Koby Layton was the pick of the Bulldog bowlers with 3-49 in a superb spell whilst Chris Stefanish claimed 2-18, Mat Kelly 2-19 and Jackson Isaaka 2-30. Cameron Cotter was the pick of the Bulldogs batsmen with a defiant and elegant 42. Ethan Debono chimed in with a stylish 38 and versatile Damien Loy added a useful 29 but the Doggies just failed.
Fifth Grade
A magnificent 117 from the very talented Harry Brett laid the foundations for a Bulldog victory. last Saturday. Bankstown raced to 8-245 with Brett plundering 12 boundaries and a sensational six as he ripped into the Randwick attack. Sanjiv Weeresingham compiled a classy 31 whilst Johann Perera added to the Randwick woes with a delightful 36 not out. Sanjiv Weeresingham completed a fine match with 3-17 in a great spell whilst Blake Pearson was once again on target with 2-39. Issac Schipp completed the rout with 2-38 as the Bulldogs cruised to victory:
A.W. Green Shield
Premiership-winning coach Ray Hall was delighted with the start to the season by his talented Green Shield side last Thursday. St. George had no answer to the tearaway Bulldogs attack and capitulated for a meagre 97. Jakob Eljed ripped through the distraught Dragons line-up with a match-winning 5-57 whilst Cameron Cotter chimed in with 3-17 in his productive spell. The Bulldogs extinguished the Dragons' fire very quickly as they raced to 1-98 and victory. Cotter completed a great match with a dashing 35 not out whilst Zeeshaan Ahmed rattled the pickets nine times in his most impressive 46 unconquered. His dominance was such that the meagre target was reached in just the 16th over. Assistant Coach Iain Ridley and Manager Mike Simpson were delighted with the resounding win especially with the useful bonus point.