Dogs edge out Hawks in thriller
Premier Grade Cricket – Round 11 v Hawkesbury
Saturday 26th January 2019
Premier First Grade
In an absolute thriller Bankstown edged out the Hawks at Owen Earle last Saturday. The Doggies fought hard to compile 8-274 and then restrict the home side to 9-270 from the allocated 50 overs. As usual it was that man Daniel Solway who got the Bulldogs barking with a majestic 62. His stellar season continues and he really is the scourge of the Belvidere Cup bowlers. His stay at the crease lasted just over two hours and he laid the platform for the competitive score. He has hammered 667 runs to date and once again unleashed his vast array of strokes to thwart the bowlers. Matt Waite kept the scoreboard ticking over with 49 in a most entertaining hour at the crease. However, the day belonged to all-rounder Mitch Brown who followed his great knock of last week with a magnificent 104 as the Hawks took flight. Brown plundered 7 boundaries and two stunning sixes in a most exciting three hour stay at the crease giving the Bankstown bowlers plenty of runs to defend with 274. In reply, The Hawks started steadily and looked good things at 2-167 but the Bulldog bowlers rallied to stem the run flow. All-rounder Matthew Waite and young spinner Ryan Cark both suffered effects of the severe heat and were only able to bowl a few overs between them. Ironically it was run machine Solway who proved the surprise packet with 2-15 from 4.1 crafty overs. Brown followed his terrific ton with 1-25 from 5 accurate overs. Rhys Williams was his usual hostile self and claimed 2-55. Brad Simpson celebrated his promotion to the top grade by shattering the stumps of the Hawks opener. Although wicket less spinner Ben Taylor put in a match winning performance conceding just 38 runs from 10 superbly accurate overs. Next weekend Bankstown will host Randwick-Petersham in a two-day fixture starting at 10.30 Saturday and Sunday. It was hoped Australian opener David Warner would be in action against the Bankstown Bulldogs but he underwent surgery on an injured elbow last week. All are welcome with free admission and excellent canteen facilities available.
Second Grade
The seconds had a much more comfortable win scoring 1-181 in reply to the Hawks humble 9-178. The very versatile Ben Le Bas was the Bulldogs bowling star with 3-35 in his inspired 10 over spell while Daniel Slane conceded just 26 from his 10 very accurate overs. Evergreen skipper the wily Tony Clark claimed 2-40 to further hammer home the Bulldogs dominance. The humble target proved little trouble to Bankstown mainly due to a wonderful 102 not out from in form Zeeshaan Ahmed. He carved up the flightless Hawks with eight sizzling boundaries and four massive sixes. Ahmed is having a great season and really is Mr. Consistency. Peter Dignam continues his fine form and formed an ideal partnership with the rampaging opener. Dignam, whilst not as flamboyant as Ahmed, has a very sound technique and hammers the wayward deliveries with a touch of class. His 70 not out made sure the Bulldogs got home easily.
Third grade
A terrific 101 from the hard-hitting Joel Brockley helped the Bulldogs fly into the Hawks last Saturday. Bankstown scored 8-260 and Brockley plundered 12 forceful boundaries and 2 crowd pleasing sixes. The Hawks never recovered from this onslaught and capitulated meekly. Bilal Ali added to their woes with a punishing 54 in just 84 entertaining minutes at the crease. Chris Stefanish played a delightful little cameo with a stylish 25 not out. Pace bowler Alex Schipp finished 18 not out which provided the icing on the cake. Stefanish completed a sensational match claiming 4-30 as the Hawks plummeted. He ensured they were unable to match the Doggies as they succumbed for a paltry total. Off spinner Matt Smith was the epitome of accuracy and his 2-28 from 10 overs finished off the Hawks. Alex Schipp swung the ball around and always threatened danger with 2-41 from 9.3 overs. The Hawks crumbled to be all out for 166 and a comprehensive defeat.
Fourth grade
Bankstown were outclassed by the Hawks at Jensen last Saturday. The visitors batted first and compiled 8-213. In reply, the Bulldogs capitulated meekly for just 123. Blake Pearson was the pick of the Bankstown bowlers with 3-45 and troubled all the batsmen in his lively spell. Jehan Bilimoria once again showed his versatility with 2-16 from 9 unerringly accurate overs. The Bulldogs batting was below par and lacked commitment. Brendan Clark top scored with 28 in a fighting knock. Tom Ramage fought hard with 22 but the Hawks easily swooped on the points.
Fifth Grade
Bankstown completed a great day for the Bulldogs with an effortless win over the Hawks 198 to 141. Skipper Alex Kouventaris once again was amongst the runs with 49. Alas he was run out just one run short of his half century. However, it was the up and coming Jack Slane who stole the limelight. He well and truly clipped the Hawks wings with a wonderful 65 not out and is an outstanding youngster. Peter Hayes chipped in with a useful 23 to round off a good team effort. Nathan Hebeston was the pick of the bowlers with 4-20 which grounded the Hawks. Brady Polkinghorne worked away enthusiastically and claimed two wickets as did Bryan Handunnethithi who gave nothing away with 2-32 from 10 accurate overs which pinned the Hawks down.
Poidevin Gray Shield
The Bulldogs under 21 side won their P-G quarter final against Parramatta at Memorial last Sunday. The Eels batted first at the picturesque Oval and started off steadily but never really took charge and cobbled together 183 against a determined and controlled bowling attack. Niran Wijewardene was the epitome of economy with an accurate line and length to claim 3-31 from 9 excellent overs. He troubled all the visitors and tied them down allowing few runs. Ben Taylor was just as difficult to get away and finished with the most impressive figures of 3-34 from 10 overs. The Canberra spinner is perfectly suited to limited overs and he makes batsmen fight for every run. Speedster Brad Simpson worked up great pace and his efforts were rewarded with 2-40 in his hostile effort. Apart from a couple of lapses the fielding was top notch. Eight catches were taken including two by the ever-reliable Peter Dignam. In reply, the Bulldogs got off to a solid start with Zeeshaan Ahmed 29 and Dignam 23. Brendan Smith also added a handy 29 but there was still plenty of work to be done. Ben Taylor completed a wonderful day with a classy 30 not out. However, Daniel Hayes top scored with a majestic 46 not out which stunned the visitors. He slipped into the Eels with plenty of enthusiasm and guided the Dogs home. A storm erupted late afternoon but the Bulldogs were ahead of Parramatta on the Duckworth-Lewis system and will progress to the semi-final against Blacktown.