Round 9 v Sydney Uni / PGs & Green v Manly
Premier Grade Cricket Round 9
The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs batted first and compiled a handy 231 after the allotted fifty overs at the picturesque Memorial Oval.
Sydney Thunder all-rounder Nathan McAndrew was the Bulldogs batting star with a dashing 76. He rattled the pickets 8 times and cleared the fence twice with two massive sixes. He was joined by experienced Chris Ridley and the pair soon got the Dion Bourne scoreboard ticking along at a good tempo. Ridley plundered 67 and thwarted the attack for almost two hours. Nick Carruthers scored 35 and hammered seven sparkling boundaries in his delightful cameo.
Sydney Uni replied with 5-235 but it was not as convincing a win as it seems. Former first-class player Ed Cowan was bowled by Matthew Waite off a no ball and holed out the next delivery, which was of course a free hit on his way to a match winning innings. Kyle Brockley bowled well and was rewarded with 2-37 to be the pick of the Bulldog bowlers.
Next weekend Bankstown will take on current Premiers Parramatta at Old Kings in what should be a great game.
Second Grade
The seconds also did not fire. The Students’ scored 242 at Uni and Bankstown capitulated for a meagre 186. The Bulldog bowlers stuck to the task stoically with Brad Simpson at his fiery best. The lively young speedster claimed 3-57 from his 10 fiery overs. Ironically Ryan Clark finished with the same figures claiming his 3-57 with clever variation and plenty of guile. Ben Le Bas top scored with a fighting 39 just ahead of Mitch Hinds with a disciplined 37. Skipper Tony Clark always sells his wicket dearly and he fought valiantly for 35. Ryan Clark added a solid 20 but it was disappointing nobody carried on to make the big score needed.
Third Grade
Third grade also lost in a sad day all round. Sydney Uni scored 250 and the Bulldogs capitulated for 196. Wallace Marshall once again was pick of the bowlers with his enthusiastic 4-59. Mansukh Singh claimed 2-28 to restrict the run flow with Tushaar Garg also claiming two wickets in his useful spell. Matt Dedes got Bankstown off to a great start with a punishing and stylish 54. He received wonderful support from Cameron Cotter who held the innings together with a classy 51. Daniel Hayes scored a defiant 45 but the rest of the batting failed dismally.
Fourth Grade
The fours scored just 71 and the Students made short work of this paltry total and finished with 3-72. Niran Wijewardene was the best batsman with 18 and he also claimed 2/15 off four overs in a performance skipper Jehan Bilimoria will want to forget very quickly.
Fifth grade
The fifths scored a good win over competition leaders Sydney Uni. Uni managed 9-193 whilst the Bulldogs cruised past them with 6-198 in reply. Blake Pearson captured the bowling honours with 3-29 which wrecked the Uni top order. Mat Kelly and Chris Stefanish both claimed 2-32 to keep the pressure on. Kelly once again showed his all-round versatility with a forceful 57 not out. Mahsen Narvel scored a handy 25 and Pearson blasted his way to 37 not out showing his versatility. Kyle Grove smashed half dozen boundaries and a superb six in his 40 to keep the Dogs barking. However, the day belonged to Mat Kelly who polished off Uni with his lightning 57 including 7 forceful boundaries and a six to take the points.
Poidevin Gray Shield
The Bankstown Under 21 side kept the Bulldog flag flying high with a big win over Manly at Memorial on Sunday. The Bulldogs batted first and played very well to score 9-250. Talented opener Zeeshaan Ahmed plundered the Sea Eagles attack ruthlessly and scored a wonderful 77. The stylish stroke maker rattled the pickets eight times and sent a savage six soaring over the fence. Once again Peter Dignam got a useful start but fell for 32. All-rounder Ben Taylor also scored a stylish 32. Cameron Middleton completed a fine weekend with a classy 46 not out. In reply, the Bulldog bowlers shared the spoils with a wicket each. However, the honours went to artful spinner Ben Taylor. He claimed the great figures of 4-18 which was a wonderful birthday present as he turned 21 on Saturday!
AW Green Shield
Competition leaders Manly scored a solid 223 at Grahame Thomas Oval on Sunday with Blake Pearson (3/34) the leading contributor. Pearson received good support from all-rounder Bryan Handunneththi (2/18), Jamie Phillipson (1/42) and Hayden Barrett (1/34). Solid scoring by Bryan Handunneththi (49), Rahid Alam (45) and Mahsen Narvel (40 not out) helped the Bulldogs take the competition favourites to the wire, but they fell four runs short with 7/220.