Ghosts bust Bulldogs
First Grade
A lacklustre bowling performance saw the Bankstown Sports sponsored Bulldogs lose to a determined Campbelltown Ghosts outfit at Memorial Oval last Saturday.
Chasing the Bulldogs 310 the visitors started with a stutter when Aaron Yabsley was dismissed by Nathan McAndrew for 19. However, a Ghost in the shape of former Bulldogs star Phil Wells joined Charlie Dummer in a 73 run second wicket partnership before Dummer was trapped LBW by Ben Taylor for 35. The game of cat and mouse continued with Oliver Robinson (14) and Jake Cormack (39) providing solid support for Wells who became another Ben Taylor victim, caught by Kyle Brockley for 70, leaving the game evenly poised with the visitors 4/162. With the score on 5/188 the Campbelltown innings looked a bit shaky but a 95 run sixth wicket partnership between Jayden Simmons and Jordan Browne led the visitors to a well-deserved victory reaching 6/313. The Bulldog bowlers toiled hard in the hot conditions but could not breakthrough at vital times in the innings. Consistent off-spinner Ben Taylor was the best performer with 2/74 off 23 overs. Sydney Thunder all-rounder Nathan McAndrew was not able to bowl at full pace due an injury, but he was economical with 1/36 off 10 overs and Kyle Brockley and Mitch Brown snared one wicket apiece.
Second Grade
The Tony Clark led Second Grade continued its fine run of form with a comfortable win against Campbelltown at Raby Oval. Chasing Campbelltown’s 302 the Bulldogs scored 5/303 to take the points. Joel Brockley (58) and young gun Zeeshaan Ahmed (58) got the Bulldogs away to a great start with a 78-run opening stand. Ethan Leten added 25 at first drop before the experienced pairing of Chris Ridley (55) and Mitch Hinds (62) maintained the Bulldogs momentum in the middle order. The hugely talented all-rounder Ben Le Bas grasped the challenge of seeing the Bulldogs home with a confident cameo innings of 37 not out.
Third grade
Bankstown amassed 5-307 at Jensen on day one and this total proved too big a task for the visiting Campbelltown side were dismissed for 237. The bowling honours were shared by dogged paceman Chris Stefanish (3/65 from 16 overs) and ever-reliable Mohammad Hossain (3/43 off 12 overs). Stefanish and Hossain received great support from Daniel Slane (2/46 off 16.2 overs), Rhys Ward (1/24 off 9 overs) and Niran Wijewardene (1/48 off 12 overs).
Fourth grade
Resuming at 0-54 chasing Campbelltown’s modest total of 145 the Bulldogs Harry Brett added six runs before he was caught for 30. When Rahid Alam was out without scoring and opener Brendan Clark caught for 48, the visitors still had plenty of work to do at 3-86. However, the side’s impressive skipper Jehan Bilimoria (52 off 58 balls) grasped the nettle along with Ali Bilal (64 off 66 balls) producing a whirlwind 99-run partnership to secure victory as the Bulldogs reached 6/219.
Fifth Grade
The Alex Kouventaris-led Bulldogs chalked up an impressive outright points victory at Grahame Thomas Oval. Resuming at 3/33 the Campbelltown batsmen fared much better in their second innings totalling 176. Umair Khan added to his 2/9 haul on week one, finishing with 3/49 while the ever-reliable Nathan Setter snared 3/37 off 15 overs. Ryan Freeman (2/26) and Brady Polkinghorne (1/34) provided great support. The Bulldogs made light work of the 98 runs needed for victory with Johann Perera adding 36 off 57 balls and Aryan Totade 43 off 64 balls. Mahsen Narvel (6 not out) and skipper Kouventaris (12 not out) added the necessary runs to claim the valuable 10 competition points.
Kingsgrove T20 Cup
The Bulldogs bowed out of the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup on Sunday defeated by the red-hot Penrith outfit at Howell Oval. Penrith won the toss and batted first, compiling 151 from their 20 overs. Spinner Ben Taylor was the leading wicket-taker with 4/24, evergreen performer Aaron Bird showed his usual competitiveness to take 3/35 and the hard-working all-rounder Nathan McAndrew snared 2/37. The Bulldogs lost star opener Daniel Solway for a duck when he was run out after facing just two deliveries. The enigmatic stroke-maker Brendan Smith looked ready to set the ground alight but he fell for 32 off 22 balls. Mitch Brown (22) and Aaron Bird (20) were the only other batsman to reach double figures as the Bulldogs capitulated for 119 in 18.3 overs.