Classy Cormack’s Comeback
The Bankstown Sports Club Bulldogs started a two-day match against the strong Eastern Suburbs Dolphins on Saturday in beautiful spring weather. Memorial Oval was at its absolute best and Bankstown took advantage winning the toss and batting first on a wicket that appeared to be batsman friendly. But, alas they were in strife almost immediately. A very rare failure from run machine Nick Carruthers followed shortly after by the dismissal of Mitchell Hinds had the Dogs in trouble at 2-16. Zeeshaan Ahmed, who is having a very good season, was next to fall for 21. Skipper Nathan McAndrew and Jake Cormack came together and lifted the total to a more secure 111 before the inform McAndrew fell for a fighting 51. The Sydney Thunder allrounder hammered 7 boundaries and a stunning six which got the Bulldogs innings barking. ‘Macca’ is a vital cog in the Bulldog machine and is always full of enthusiasm. Ben Taylor joined prolific run getter Cormack at the crease and the pair lifted the total to a healthy 248 before the partnership was broken. It was yet another top class knock from Jake and he dived on the Dolphins with 11 gloriously timed boundaries in his magnificent 101. His fine footwork meant he could dance down the pitch enabling him to drive the spinners forcefully to both sides of the wicket. Cormack timed the ball superbly and played some delightful square cuts, but ironically a mis timed cut shot brought about his undoing as he ‘snicked’ a short ball to the keeper. Taylor took over the mantle of leading stroke maker and looked very much at ease with an outstanding 80. He played the old-fashioned late cut with great timing and pounded the Dolphins with forceful drives and leg glances. His 3-hour vigil was an integral part of the innings and he is yet another top class Bulldog allrounder. Strident Liam Marshall chimed in with a very handy 25 not out cutting the ball elegantly and playing some well-timed sweeps which guided the Bulldogs to a very competitive 9-329.
Second grade
Dayne Heward and Daniel Nicotra combined to sink the Dolphins for 199 on
Saturday at Waverley Oval. At 3-100 the home side looked like posting a very big score but were beached by the Bulldog bowlers. Heward was at his incisive best with 4-51 in a fiery and hostile spell of 12.4 overs getting both openers and giving Bankstown just the start they needed. Nicotra, having a season to remember with willow and ball, used flight and guile in a marvellous 24 over spell. Spinners of his type often go for plenty but he was right on target and thoroughly deserved his 4-54. In reply Bankstown are 0-24 which is a solid start.
Third grade
Bankstown scored a decisive victory over Uni of NSW at Kelso North with the visitors batting first and struggling to 9-143 off their 50 overs. Talented paceman Rhys Ward produced the goods for the home side and stung the Bees with an amazing 4-16 in his 10 overs spell. In reply Bankstown’s Modacer Momindi swarmed all over the beleaguered Bees with a top class 50 to set up the win with the ever reliable Niran Wijewardene chiming in with a stylish 28. The barking Bulldogs finished with wickets in hand for a most decisive victory
Fourth Grade
At David Phillips North Uni of NSW outclassed the Bulldogs easily. It was a bleak start for Bankstown with both openers going for ducks. Rahid Alam steadied the ship with a defiant 22 whilst Ryan Freeman was at his elegant best with a stylish 37. The Bulldogs offered more of a yelp than a bark and capitulated for a meagre 120. Brady Polkinghorne was the pick of the Bankstown bowlers capturing 2-28 but the visitors were completely out played.
Fifth Grade
It was good to see representative umpire Arthur Watson plying his wares at Grahame Thomas in the Fifth-Grade fixture which saw Uni of NSW hammering the Bulldog bowlers into submission. The Bees 5-249 was far too many for Bankstown who capitulated for a paltry 153. Charlie Fitzjohn claimed 3-53 in his excellent spell which troubled all batsmen whilst Mudassir Ejaz gave very good support in his tidy spell of 2-38. Experienced Brad Christensen top scored for the young Dogs with a fighting 32 in a sterling knock with Bryan Handunneththi adding 20. Captain Tom Ramage with 22 and Rohin ‘Instagram’ Patel 19 not out, being the only other batsman to get a start.
Poidevin Gray Shield
The PG’s were defeated by Sydney University in the tightest of matches at Sydney Uni Oval on Sunday. Openers Zeeshaan Ahmed and Mansukh Singh put on a healthy 56 for the opening stand before Ahmed was out LBW for 29 (38). Singh was caught for 30 with the score on 70 before Modacer Momandi capped a great weekend with a brilliant 83 (99) in support of his skipper Matt Simpson who carried his bat with 82 not out as the Dogs reached a very healthy 4-264 off their 50 overs. However, a magnificent century from Uni’s Ben Mitchell (130no off 118) got the Students home with 3 balls to spare (8/265). The Bulldogs bowlers tried hard with Brad Simpson (2/55) and Blake Pearson (2/43) the pick.