Magpies mauled by British Bulldog. Macca fires in T20.
Premier Grade Cricket
Round 6 v Western Suburbs 24-11-18
The Bankstown Sports Club Bulldogs continued their recent good form defeating Western Suburbs last Saturday at Pratten Park. Resuming at 2-73 the visitors chased down the target of 171 without any drama apart from the early wicket of run machine Daniel Solway. Nick Carruthers ripped into the Magpies with his usual flair to set up victory. His 73 was an action-packed knock and he plundered 5 boundaries together with 3 stunning sixes. He is a real dasher and a spectators’ delight. 22-year-old Yorkshireman Matt Waite has been a resounding success since coming to the Bulldogs and confirmed his class with a dynamic 106. The very versatile all-rounder impressed with his savage stroke play and brought the crowd to its feet with 10 sparkling boundaries and 3 towering sixes. He surely will represent England in the near future. Michael Stretton carried on the great work with an unconquered 68 and always leads by example. His 7 fours and two sixes caused the Magpies to take flight as Bankstown surged to 8-308 declared. Wests batted a touch better in the second innings and finished with 2-75. The Doggies are looking to vanquish the Campbelltown Ghosts next Saturday in a two-day game at Bankstown. On the premiership ladder the locals are 5th and the Ghosts 17th but the visitors have a wealth of talent it will no doubt be a hard-fought encounter.
Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup
Bankstown completed a stellar weekend with a decisive win over Northern District at Mark Taylor Oval. The Bulldogs batted first and plundered 8-181 from the 20 overs. Nick Carruthers scored a forceful 26 to get the Bulldogs barking whilst NDs could only manage a humble 128. Thunder all-rounder Nathan McAndrew took the game away from the home side with a punishing 78 – batting for exactly one hour, smashing 4 boundaries and 5 magnificent sixes. Matt Waite completed a great weekend with a quick fire 34 in just half an hour at the crease. Crafty spinner Ben Taylor claimed 4-20 to spin out the home side. He received great support from Mitch Brown who claimed 3-36 in his accurate spell.
Second Grade
In a tense finish, a last wicket stand got Bankstown home at Memorial last Saturday. Resuming at 4-144 and chasing just 200 the home side always looked vulnerable. When skipper Tony Clark fell Bankstown were really in strife with 9-194 however Brad Simpson with 16 not out and Wallace Marshall guided the Bulldogs to victory in a thriller. Clark’s 26 proved crucial and he certainly led by example. To their credit Wests opened up the game with a bold declaration at 5-169. Dayne Heward was on target as usual and he claimed 3-27 in his probing spell. Marshall was also in good form with 2-37. Zeeshaan Ahmed got the Bulldogs off to a flyer with a dashing 57 in just over an hour at the crease. He thwarted the Magpies quest for a win with 12 sparkling boundaries. Mitch Hinds chimed in with a quick fire 48 not out which got the Bulldogs barking. Dayne Heward completed a great day with a whirlwind 28 not out including 5 boundaries guiding them to 7-159 as the Bulldogs surged to outright victory. The vagaries of cricket saw the home side go from facing a first innings defeat to outright victory and ten crucial points. Clark’s seconds have now zoomed up to second place just two points behind Sydney Uni.
Third grade
Wests' 132 was nowhere near the required target of 218. Alex Schipp bent the ball like a boomerang and claimed 2-17. He is a very promising swing bowler and his accuracy is highlighted by the six maidens in his spell. However, the bowling honours went to a fired-up Chris Stefanish who ripped into Wests with 5-31. It was 17 overs of devastation which got the Bulldogs barking as the Magpies took flight. Off spinner Matt Smith had the ball on a string and finished with 2-34 off his extremely accurate 17 overs.
Fourth grade
The Fourths completed a great day for Bankstown Cricket with wins in all of the top four grades. Mohammad Abir Hossain claimed 3-38 as he created chaos with the ball and always looked dangerous. That man Niran Wijewardene once again caught the eye and captured 3-50 in his lively spell. The Magpies collapsed for a paltry 160 chasing 273 and it was truly a fine all-round effort by the Doggies.
Fifth grade
Bankstown put together a disappointing 143 at Punchbowl Oval last Saturday. Alex Kouventaris stood out like a beacon in the night with a defiant 41 whilst Nathan Setter looked good with 27 and Jack Slane added a fighting 25. Wests secured the points scoring 163. In their second innings, the Dogs fared better with 3-125. Tom Ramage was in superb form with a stylish 49 not out whilst Handunneththi once again scored freely to finish with 38.