Qualifying Finals 2019: Dogs march on

Premier Grade Cricket: Qualifying Finals 2019

The great news for the Bankstown Sports Cub sponsored Bankstown Bulldogs is that their Second and Third grade sides are into the semi-final next weekend.

In amongst the euphoria of this news is the sobering thought that both teams will take on the very strong Sydney University sides!

It is a minor miracle that Seconds have progressed as they played very poorly on Saturday against the Sydney Tigers. In dull and sometimes inclement weather at Drummoyne Oval Bankstown capitulated for a meagre 90 and the home side cruised to 1-100. Despite this comprehensive defeat washouts enabled the Doggies to progress to the semi-final. Dame Fortune has certainly given Tony Clark’s side a huge blessing and it’s hoped this is an omen for the side to spring back into the form that made them competition front runners in the early part of the season.

Iain Ridley with his talented and enthusiastic group of Third Grade youngsters are in good form and scored a useful 233 against Manly by the seaside last Saturday.

Niran Wijewardene was a tower of strength in the middle order and held the brittle Bulldog batting together. He defied the fired up Manly attack at bay with a glorious and invaluable 54 not out. Daniel Hayes was patience personified in scoring a fighting 40 which got the Bulldogs barking. At the top of the order Mansukh Singh was his usual reliant self with an elegant 35. Cameron Cotter fresh from his magnificent 120 recently chimed in with a useful 26 whilst Matthew Dedes added a handy 25. The lower order failed to fire and but for Wijewardene the Bulldogs would have succumbed much more easily. They too will take on the strong Sydney University side but providing they play to their potential, they should be very competitive.

Match venues will be announced on the Club’s social media sites when available.