Round 10 v Parramatta
Premier Grade Cricket Round 10.
Belvidere Cup First Grade
After the heatwave conditions, it was a pleasant relief that Saturday was considerably cooler. The Bulldogs took on premiers Parramatta at Old King’s. The home side batted first and cobbled together 286 in good conditions. Nathan McAndrew was right on target as usual with an amazing 2-12 from his 10 unplayable overs. However left arm spinner Ben Taylor grabbed the bowling honours with 6-73 which stunned the not so Electric Eels. Taylor has really confirmed his great promise this season and his variations in flight and guile whilst maintaining accuracy are top class. It was a diabolical start to the Bulldog innings in reply as they slumped to 3-21. Nick Carruthers initiated the fightback with a wonderful 59 which repelled the home side’s onslaught. This took the Doggies to 132 when he fell with plenty of work still to be done. Enter prolific run-getter Chris Ridley who responded to the challenge with the aplomb of a veteran. For 220 minutes Ridley cut drove and unleashed powerful pull shots as he guided the visitors into calmer waters. He was still there when the Bulldogs posted the winning runs and his 112 not out was a masterpiece. He was wonderfully supported by Mitch Brown who finished 74 not out in a undefeated partnership of 155.
On Jan 26th Bankstown take on Hawkesbury at Owen Earle.
Second Grade
Bankstown’s 8-211 was not enough at Memorial with Parramatta scoring 6-217 to take the points. Peter Dignam was the batting star for the Bulldogs with a defiant and accomplished 83. Apart from a fighting 36 from talented Mitch Hinds it was very much a lone hand from the classy Dignam. The Bulldogs bowling was enthusiastic and accurate. Brad Simpson again impressed with 2-42 and is definitely one for the future. Daniel Slane was once again on target and tried very hard with his 2-45.
Third Grade
The thirds were stunned by Parramatta and caved in to score 9-212. The mainstay for the Bulldogs was defiant skipper Iain Ridley who plundered 63 with 7 sparkling boundaries and a colossal six. Bilal Ali showed spirited resistance with his fighting 42 but the rest of the batting lacked discipline. Niran Wijewardene was the pick of the Bulldog bowlers with 2-39 from his 10 accurate overs.
Fourth Grade
Parramatta batted first and compiled 6/207 at Jensen Park. Chris Stefanish tried hard with 2-50 whilst Koby Layton was all class with his 10 immaculate overs which returned him 2-27. A diabolical batting collapse saw the beleaguered Bulldogs bundled out for a woeful 89. Jehan Bilimoria was the only one to seriously trouble the scorers with a hard fought 24.
Fifth grade
Parramatta scored a meagre 176 at Castlewood but it was far too many for Bankstown who capitulated for a meagre 106. Nathan Hebeston showed plenty of fighting qualities with a stylish 21 as others folded around him whilst also taking the bowling honours with 3/9 off 8 overs.