Mixed results against Stags
Premier Grade Cricket
Bankstown v Gordon
Round 13 2020-21 20th February 2021
First Grade
As the cricket season winds down the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs were locked in a titanic struggle with the Gordon Stags at Memorial last Saturday. The visitors batted first and scored heavily from the outset. Always aggressive Brad Simpson put the brakes on the scoring with a successful LBW shout. Ever reliable Nathan McAndrew, the Thunder star allrounder, was again at his incisive best with 3 vital wickets. Liam Marshall troubled all batsmen with his probing pace and claimed 2-31 whilst very accurate Ben Taylor took 2-52 in another economical spell. The visitors finished with 9-263 and it made for a serious challenge for the Bulldogs who did not shirk the task but fell just short of the target. Prolific rungetter Nick Carruthers produced a devastating flurry of boundaries and 5 superb sixes having the crowd roared its approval in his forceful power hitting 82. Zeeshaan Ahmed looked in tip top form but alas was run out for 43. Jake Cormack continued his outstanding season with a run a ball 48 whilst Mitch Brown chimed in with 29 which kept the Dion Bourne scoreboard ticking over and Nathan McAndrew adding 22 and Ben Taylor 21 but the total was just 2 short at 9-261. Next Saturday the Bulldogs take on Sydney Uni at University.
Second Grade
The seconds got the better of the Stags at Chatswood last Saturday. The home side batted first and compiled a competitive 247. Muhammad Salman contained the home side with 2 wickets as did Gurinder Hara. Ryan Clark also captured 2 scalps and it was a concerted effort by the bowlers. In reply a magnificent opening stand of 150 laid the foundation for victory. Joel Brockley hammered the home side into submission with 11 boundaries and 2 stunning sixes in his 77. Mansukh Singh was even more devastating with a sparkling 81 rattling the pickets 9 times and much to the crowd’s delight he clearing the fence four times. A great knock from a talented cricketer. Mitchell Hinds capitalised with a useful 28 as the Bulldogs cruised to 5-248 and victory.
Third Grade
Gordon won the toss and asked the Bulldogs to bat first and crashing to 6-56 after a solid 35 run opening stand. Young all-rounder Anthony Melnyk dug in and scored a belligerent 60 with spinner Koby Layton 21 valuable runs in 9-171 declared. Gordon started disastrously and some magnificent bowling from the young Bulldog side saw them dismissed for only 49. Exciting prospect Blake Pearson snared 2 whilst damaging quick Rhys Ward taking 3. Basit Ali finished with the amazing figures of 4-0 off 10 balls. A truly unreal result after being down and out early in the day.
Fourth Grade
The match at Killara Oval was unfortunately washed out.
Fifth Grade
The young Bulldog pups had a disastrous day at Kelso Park North. In trying conditions the team could only cobble together 49 runs between them in 37 overs. Gordon passed the score 4 wickets down and declared at 6-129. Young quick James Cheetham tried hard taking 2 wickets, but it was an impossible task with so little runs. The Dogs ended 1-30 off 12 overs when play was called for the day.