R2 v Sydney - Match reports week 1
29th September 2018
Premier First Grade
The Bankstown Sports Club Bulldogs restricted Sydney to 292 at Memorial last Saturday. It was quite a fightback by the visitors who at one stage were struggling at 7-161. Probing left arm spinner Ben Taylor called on all his flight and guile to claim 4-62 in his extremely accurate 32 over spell. He used the strong breeze cleverly and bottled up one end in his superb spell. Nathan McAndrew was at his lively best and took 2 wickets to get the Bulldogs barking. Liam Marshall is enjoying himself in the top grade and was rewarded with 3-50 from his productive 16 overs. At 17 years of age he is a definite prospect for representative honours in future. Skipper and wicket-keeper Michael Stretton kept his players on their toes and claimed two useful catches. McAndrew also revealed a safe pair of hands with two smart ones. The Bulldogs openers Daniel Solway and Peter Dignam had to negotiate one over before stumps and they played out a maiden. Play resumes next Saturday at 9.30am and the Bulldogs are keen to emulate their first-round run spree.
Second grade
The seconds are chasing the sizeable total of 407 at Birchgrove Oval. The team has the batsmen to chase down the big total given similar conditions on Saturday. Bankstown only batted for 11 overs and have started well with 0-23. Wallace Marshall stuck to the task at hand despite the run spree and was rewarded with 3-70 in a lionhearted effort. Jacob Malcolm unleashed some excellent deliveries in his incisive spell and claimed 3-49 in an outstanding effort. Dayne Heward troubled the middle order in his fiery spell and claimed two well-earned wickets.
Third grade
The thirds fought hard at Jensen and finished with 6-234. Iain Ridley wielded the willow to great success with a classy 33. Promising Daniel Hayes was in superb touch and hammered an explosive 62. He held the batting together with a delightful innings which kept the Bulldogs barking. Mansukh Singh offered solid resistance and revealed a vast array of strokes in his crucial 49. Jehan Bilimoria once again displayed his all-round value with a stylish 39 and always seems to be in the action. It was a fine fightback by the lower order and could prove valuable.
Fourth grade
The fourths battled to 179 at Ryde with the very forceful Bilal Ali propping up the Bulldogs batting with an enterprising 61. Ali was in great touch and delighted the crowd with his vast array of stroke making. Very classy Brendan Clark hammered the Sydney attack with an excellent 53. Clark ensured the Bulldogs cobbled together a reasonable total. Harry Brett chimed in with 27 very useful runs. Skipper Chris Stefanish added 16 and was delighted with the fight back. In reply Sydney was 1-23 with Blake Pearson taking the wicket.
Fifth grade
Sydney scored 187 at Grahame Thomas and in reply the Bulldogs are 1-18. Bryan Handunnethti took the Bulldogs bowling honours by troubling the top order. His length and accuracy were impeccable and he thoroughly deserved his 3-39. Hayden Barrett was equally devastating with 3-42. He captured two of the first three wickets to fall and was the Sydney nemesis. Umair Khan further added to the Sydney woes with an enthusiastic 2-31 and the bowlers were to be congratulated.