Thriller against the Randy-Petes
Premier Grade Cricket
Round 12 v Randwick Petersham
The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs were involved in another thrilling finish at Memorial last Saturday/Sunday. Randwick batted first and rain delays frustrated both teams but fortunately the sun shone on Sunday. The visitors compiled 8-298 and when stumps were drawn the home side just missed out by a whisker with 6-295. It was a bitter blow to the Bulldogs who have now slipped to seventh on the ladder. The bowlers performed well with 2 wickets each to Brett Lee’s protégé Brad Simpson, Ben Taylor and Matt Waite. It was a challenging total but Bankstown only failed by just three runs. Nick Carruthers continued his purple patch with runs galore. He hammered 92 with 10 scorching boundaries and three huge sixes. It was an attractive two hours stay at the crease and he kept the Dion Bourne scoreboard racing along. Peter Dignam celebrated his return to the top grade with a fighting 53 which kept the Bulldogs barking. Keeper and skipper Michael Stretton chimed in with a forceful 40 not out which edged the home side closer. Matt Waite added 24 in good style whilst Ben Taylor compiled 25 not out in a desperate attempt for 6 points. Instead both teams had to settle for 1 point apiece. Bankstown will take on Northern District at Bankstown next Saturday in a two-day fixture at 10.30
Second grade
The seconds crashed to defeat at Petersham as they scored just 127 when chasing a meagre 157. Tushaar Garg bowled beautifully for the Bulldogs and had the home side struggling from the outset. Garg ripped through the Randwick batting with ease and captured the top 4 batsmen as the home side capitulated. He also polished off the innings in taking the last wicket to give him the magnificent figures of 5-22. It was a wonderful 8 overs spell and his hostility had all batsmen back-pedalling. Garg received great support from Daniel Slane who claimed 2-35 in his enthusiastic spell. The Bulldogs batting was most disappointing and only Peter Dignam with 26 and Cameron Middleton 29 offering any resistance.
Third Grade
Bankstown’s 158 was too many for Randwick who collapsed for a paltry 108. Wallace Marshall showed his versatility with an action packed 39 which got the Bulldogs barking. His crucial innings kept the brittle batting together and he received valuable support from spinner Matt Smith who added a spirited 26 in his defiant hour at the crease. It was a match winning partnership between the two bowlers. and gave the Bulldogs bowlers something to defend. And defend they did with Alex Schipp bending the ball alarmingly as he ripped into Randwick proving a nightmare for the batsmen taking 4-36. Rhys Ward unleashed a devastating 6 overs spell and he troubled all batsmen with an amazing 3-9.
Fourth Grade
The fourths were thrashed by Randwick at Coogee Oval after an abysmal Bulldogs batting display. The visitors were completely outplayed by the locals and succumbed for a paltry 66. In reply Randwick cruised to 6-68 to take the points. The Bankstown innings contained three ducks and only two batsmen reached double figures. The Bulldog bowlers made the home side fight for their runs with Jehan Bilimoria working up good pace claiming 3-34 and as usual gave 100%. Blake Pearson bowled with plenty of enthusiasm to take 2-18 whilst Connor Wilkinson chimed in with 1-10.
Fifth grade
No play was possible in the fifths due to the wet weather, so each side collected 1 premiership point.