Dogs struggle against Saints while another milestone set in 2nds
Premier Grade Cricket Publicity Report Round Two Season 2019/20 5th October 2019 The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs could not handle the fiery Dragons at Memorial last Saturday and slumped to 7-77. The Trent Copeland inspired St George caused chaos amongst the Bankstown batting as the home side collapsed to be 5-19. Test quick Copeland proved the Bulldogs nemesis and captured the first four wickets to fall as the top order capitulated clean bowling two of his victims with stunning pace and the locals never recovered from a precarious 4-19. The extent of the Dragons domination was highlighted by the fact that only two Bankstown batsmen reached double figures. Chris Ridley fought hard for 78 minutes with a defiant 18 which temporarily doused the Dragons fire. However top scoring was the defiant spinner Ben Taylor with a wonderful 34 in a courageous and disciplined knock. Copeland devastated the Dogs but in better news for Bankstown was skipper Daniel Solway. The talented run getter was in top form for the NSW Metro 2nd XI side versus Western Australia. Solway had a sensational match with a brilliant 195 runs in the first innings. The opening batsman spent 375 deliveries at the crease reaching the boundary on 19 occasions and clearing it once. Solway followed up that effort with a solid 61 from 131 balls in the second innings.
Second Grade The irrepressible Tony Clark has once again grabbed the limelight as his remarkable career continues. The skipper played his 650th grade cricket game and rocked the shell-shocked Dragons at Hurstville. Clark has carried all before him and his superb record is testimony to his longevity and durability. He is very well known throughout Sydney grade cricket and the Bulldogs are proud to have his vast experience available. His popularity makes him a legendary figure alongside that great Grade cricketer Ken “Emu” Hall who is now first grade manager. The seconds celebrated the Captain’s amazing feat by ripping through the Dragons at Hurstville. Clark was at his sparkling best to put the Dogs in an unassailable position after he won the toss and decided to field. Saints reeled under the concerted attack of Clark and collapsed for a meagre 115. Captain Clark finished with the sensational figures of 6-20 from his 16.5 superb overs. Chris Stefanish gave Clark great support with 2-24 from his 10 overs who was the epitome of accuracy and ensured the Dragons fire was extinguished. Bankstown fared much better than Saints in reply and clinched first innings points with 6-118 whereupon Clark declared. Unlike the first grade, the seconds had six batsmen reach double figures with Daniel Nicotra’s 40 the top score. The former Blacktown player has impressed all in the Bulldogs kennel and is a classy stroke maker proving a real crowd pleaser hammering six boundaries plus 2 spectacular sixes facing a mere 17 deliveries. At stumps St. George were 0-6 in their second dig.
Third Grade St. George won the toss and invited the Bulldogs to bat first at Kelso North last Saturday. A fine all-round batting effort enabled Bankstown to reach 9-264 from 80 overs. Skipper Matthew Dedes certainly led by example with a top class 58 holding the batting together in a responsible innings which extinguished the Dragons fire. Ever reliable allrounder Jehan Bilimoria hammered a punishing 40 and once again proved his versatility. Earlier the Bulldog openers gave the side a solid start. Stylish Cameron Cotter was at his elegant best with 31 and has talent. Former Tiger Justin Felsch has settled into the kennel well and showed touches of class with 22. Matt Simpson timed the ball confidently with a classy 28. Basit Ali played a delightful little cameo with 29 from 31 balls.
Fourth Grade Skipper Alex Kouventaris once again starred for the Bulldogs with a hard hitting 64 at Harold Fraser. The classy stroke maker hammered ten boundaries in a valuable knock which tamed the Dragons. Brendan Clark gave his skipper great support with a magnificent 60 which contained 7 sparkling boundaries. Bankstown finished with 8-194.
Fifth grade Bankstown capitulated for a meagre 122 at the rain-soaked Graeme Thomas Oval last Saturday. Manoj Weerasingham top scored with a spirited 21 whilst Bryan Handunneththi chimed in with a useful 19. In reply St George were 3-30 at stumps with Max Clissold keeping Bankstown in the game with 2-1