Dogs down in Limited Overs cliff-hanger

Premier Grade Publicity 6th and 7th February 2021

The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs and Randwick-Petersham Premier Grade teams played an absolute thriller in the NSW Premier Cricket Limited Overs Cup Qualifier on Sunday with the game going right down to the last over. Randwick-Petersham batted first and amassed 5-255 at Memorial Oval on a beautiful summer’s day. Daniel Nicotra was the Bulldogs bowling star and claimed the first 3 wickets to fall securing the first with the help of ever reliable safe hands of Brad Simpson. Nathan McAndrew caught the next and the Sydney Thunder rep has had a wonderful season. Nicotra did all the work with the 3rd gleefully accepting a sharp caught and bowled finishing with 3-44 from 6 penetrative overs. As usual McAndrew was superb with the ball and beat the bat frequently in his 1-21 from 10 overs and was the epitome of accuracy in a magnificent spell. In reply Daniel Solway fell for 14 which was a bitter blow as the NSW Blues rep has scored runs all season. The Bulldogs rallied with run machine Nick Carruthers paving the way ripping into the Randwick attack in a blistering display of forceful strokeplay and his innings really got the Bulldogs barking. The crowd roared its approval as he smashed 6 boundaries and 4 towering maximums. Alas he fell just short of a century for 94 in a memorable knock. Zeeshaan Ahmed has had a wonderful season and he contributed a valuable 41. Mitch Brown was just slipping into top gear but in a severe blow was run out for 38. The lower order rallied but just failed to reach the target and ended on 7-251. It was a great game and the finish a cliff-hanger indeed.

Lions' roar Beats Bulldogs' bark in Belvidere Cup

Rain disrupted play at Rosedale Oval on Saturday but when it resumed Fairfield took their 0-35 to a match winning 4-185. With only a meagre 184 to defend, the Bulldogs bowlers toiled away valiantly but all to no avail. Paceman Brad Simpson was once again a handful with the new ball. He produced an absolute rocket which spreadeagled the stumps and bails of Simmons. Multi-talented allrounder Matt Bursa produced a deceptive delivery which trapped Uppal LBW with a vociferous shout. Ben Taylor flighted his left arm spinners with variations in flight and plenty of guile. He enticed Naqvi to proffer a chance to ever alert Daniel Nicotra who grabbed it with glee. Firebrand Simpson returned to get rid of Ohrnowsky with the help of of the very safe hands of Hinds. At this point the home side were struggling at 4-101 and had plenty of work to do. A rain delay thwarted both sides but when play eventually resumed the Lion’s hammered home their advantage. Their batting was exemplary, and they finished with 4-185 and victory. 

Next game is a two-day fixture at Bankstown Memorial over the two Saturdays versus Gordon commencing at 10.30 a.m.

Second grade

After prolonged rain delays Bankstown was able to take the field and post first innings points with the Lion’s capitulating for a paltry 108. Their batting hero was ex Bulldog Andrew Deitz who tried his best to get the Lions roaring with 34 not out. Ryan Clark was a handful for the visitors and wrecked their chances of a decent score with a superb 3-10. Muhammad Salman claimed 2-16 to keep the pressure on whilst Basit Ali was his lively self with 2-4 with both wickets top order batsmen. Mansukh Singh has scored plenty of runs this season and his 30 not out ensured there would be no hiccups. However, the day belonged to Niran Wijewardene who has been a prolific and majestic run getter all year. In just over an hour at the crease he hammered 65 off just 53 balls. His devastating strokeplay scattered the crowd with 3 explosive sixes and it was a delight to behold the ferocity of his big hitting.

Third grade

The Lions batted first and could only manage 129 in difficult conditions. Bulldog paceman Anthony Melnyk took an amazing 5-13 off 11 overs after Rhys Ward got the initial breakthrough claiming 2-24 off 18 overs. The Bulldogs replied with 4-131 off only 25 overs to claim a convincing win. Skipper Alex Kouventaris top scored with a breezy 37 whilst Matthew Dedes struck 6 boundaries in an entertaining 31. Up and coming youngster Ryan Freeman saw the side home unbeaten on a superb 36 not out.

Fourth grade

Bankstown’s 131 was not enough and were beaten by Fairfield 5-135 at Kelso Park North. Manoj Weerasingham was the Bulldogs batting star with an exemplary 42. He took hold of the situation as wickets tumbled all around him. He is a stylish run maker. Jehan Bilimoria caused the Lion’s plenty of angst with 3-40 but the match slipped away from the young pups.

Fifth grade

The Lions batted first and scraped together 134 at Don Dawson. Mudassir Ejaz tormented the home side with some belligerent bowling ripping them apart with 5-55. His 11.2 overs cut a swathe through the Lion’s whose roar was reduced to a whimper. Nathan Hebeston continued the good work with 2-38 in an accurate spell while Charlie Fitzjohn made the early inroads removing both opening batsmen with his 2-10. After early wickets had the Bulldogs in trouble Sanjiv Weerasingham steadied the ship with a controlled and defiant 38 not out. Ever reliable Tom Ramage was again to the fore with a meritorious 29 whilst Subtain Shahid kept the scoreboard ticking over with an integral 27. Keeper-batsman Rohin Patel guided the Doggies home to 6-135 and his decisive 21 was all class.