Dolphins sneak home / McAndrew leads T20 win
Premier Grade Cricket Publicity
Round 6 Week 2 21-22- November + T20 Cup 22-11-20
The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs went down to the Eastern Suburbs Dolphins at Memorial last Saturday in a cliff-hanger but scored a decisive win over Blacktown on Sunday and now lead the Thunder Division of the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup. Dayne Heward was welcomed to First Grade by coach Gary Crowfoot who handed him cap number 303 and Bankstown declared at their overnight total of 8-329. The visitors got off to a very good start against the very strong Bulldogs pace attack. Left arm spinner Ben Taylor was then bought on with instant success with opener Turner edging and caught by first slip. Further success came just before lunch when the Easts Dolphins lost their 2nd wicket for 87. Ever alert Jake Cormack snapped up a useful catch to dismiss NSW captain Peter Nevill for 46, once again from the bowling of Taylor. A prized wicket indeed. After the interval the visitors continued to defy the Doggies who strived valiantly for another breakthrough which eventually came when Ben Taylor enticed a nick behind from Thunder youngster Baxter Holt to keeper Matt Simpson and the score was 3-138. A spectacular wicket to Brad Simpson beached the Dolphins temporarily. An attempted drive from Tim Armstrong off the very speedy quick caught the inside edge of the bat and crashed into the stumps. At 4-175 the home side looked a chance, but the next wicket did not fall until and the Dolphins had sunk the Bulldogs. Zeeshaan Ahmed claimed a useful catch in the deep but the visitors amassed 5-330 and claimed the six points. Next Saturday the Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts come to Memorial for a two-day fixture where the Bulldogs will be hoping to rejoin the winner’s circle.
Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup
On Sunday the Bulldogs scored a moral boosting win over Blacktown and now lead the Thunder Division of the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup. The home side batted first but were restricted to 8-127 with Sydney Thunder and Bulldogs all-rounder Nathan McAndrew the chief destroyer with 3-22. The Bulldogs sorely missed ‘Macca’ on Saturday as he was unable to bowl due to an elbow injury. The lanky paceman showed his true Bulldog Club spirit to get onto the park on Sunday despite nursing the niggling injury. Aaron Bird (2/18), Ben Taylor (2/17) and Brad Simpson were also amongst the wickets. In reply the Bulldogs lost star openers Nick Carruthers and Daniel Solway for nine and seven respectively and when rising star Zeeshaan Ahmed was caught for 17, the ‘Dogs were in trouble at 3-38. However, Nathan McAndrew showed his fighting qualities once again with as solid 27 off 23 deliveries and along with the in-form Jake Cormack (26 not out) and the reliable Daniel Nicotra (32) the Dogs reached 5-131 with seven balls to spare.
Second Grade
Bankstown Seconds scored an impressive victory over the Dolphins at Waverley last Saturday. Chasing the home side’s 199 Bankstown held their nerve to take the honours with 9-222 off just 64 overs before closing play. Dayne Heward claimed 4-51 the first week which enabled him to slip up to the top grade. As usual Daniel Nicotra was well and truly in the action with 4-54. From the outset the Bulldogs beached the floundering Dolphins with some savage strokeplay. At the top of the order Joel Brockley hammered a magnificent 107 which got the Bulldogs barking vociferously. The dashing stroke maker was in top form and plundered 17 sparkling boundaries which guided the Bulldogs home. Nicotra once again showed his versatility with a classy 40 and Mitch Hinds adding 20 which ensured the visitors consolidated to pass the Dolphins tally.
Third grade
At Kelso Park North ex Bulldog and Dolphins captain Mark Morley was at the top of his game with 61 not out and 3-33. The Bulldogs notched 8-193 and in reply Easts past the score to finish 5-194 in the 45th over.
Fourth grade
At Trumper Park the Dolphins batted very well to compile 8-239. Captain Jehan Bilimoria was his usual lively self with 2-31 whilst Hayden Barrett took 3 wickets in his attacking spell. The Bulldogs could only whimper in reply and capitulated for a meagre 110. Opening batsman Arnav Raina fought hard with a defiant 28 whilst Bryan Handunneththi chimed in with a determined 22.
Fifth grade
Easts 6-241 was far too many for Bankstown’s 186 at Grahame Thomas Oval last Saturday. Daniel Carr was the pick of the Bulldog bowlers claiming 3-37 in his inspired spell. Bankstown lost 3-29 before Subtain Shahid attacked the visitors with 41 off just 37 balls with 6 boundaries and two huge sixes. Anthony Melnyk with 46 before being run out and Charlie Fitzjohn with a fine 50 fought hard to give the young Bulldogs a chance but received little support.