Round 6

Limited Overs Round 5

Unfortunately the 'Dogs fell prey to a savage Shark attack last Sunday at Bankstown Oval. They could scrape together only a dismal 71 after the Bulldog bowlers had performed admirably to restrict Sutherland to a reasonable 236. Wayne Holdsworth varied his pace and moved the ball around effectively to take 4-46 in a typically lionhearted display. He received solid support from allrounder Sean McKiernan who took 2-29 in a tidy spell whilst the ever reliable Ken Hall snared 2-63. The Bankstown fielding was brilliant with Corey Richards throwing down the stumps from side on and Vaughan Williams taking two catches, one an absolute gem in the covers. Little could be said for the abysmal batting display which was a major disappointment on a perfect batting strip. The 'Dogs didn't give a yelp and capitulated meekly against a persistent Shark attack. The only batsman to provide any resistance at all was versatile allrounder Matt Betsey who was his usual defiant self with a hard fought 33. Bankstown will play Uni of N.S.W. at Village Green next Saturday in a game that is vital to its premiership aspirations.

First Grade

'Dogs Punish Parra

The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs are in a sound position after the first day of play against Parramatta at Old Kings having scored 7-276.The Bankstown opening pair of Vaughan Williams and Anthony Smith got the 'Dogs off to a solid start with a 75 run partnership in 90 minutes. Williams,who has been one of the success stories of the season, once again impressed with a hard hitting 40 before proffering a return catch to Aitken. Williams is thoroughly enjoying his return to the Bulldogs after a sojourn with Hawkesbury but is desperately keen to notch a triple figure score to capitalise on his succession of good starts. He has dominated some of the most respected opening attacks in the competition but much to his chagrin has been dismissed too many times just after all the hard work has been done. Newly promoted Anthony Smith looked in very good touch but was unluckily stumped for a solid 31 in an extremely close decision. Ever reliable skipper Kevin Roberts scored an entertaining 35 before being bowled by Gordon but he too was a little frustrated that he failed to go all the way. Allrounder Matt Betsey was his usual consistent self with 37 whilst 'keeper Shane Duff chimed in with a handy 29. However the day really belonged to talented allrounder Sean McKiernan who once again starred with the bat notching a dynamic and chanceless 69 not out. Earlier on this year when allrounder Scott Thompson was enticed away to the Dragons Sean seized the opportunity to return home to the 'Dogs. Although Thompson's boots were very big ones to fill Mckiernan has proved to be well up to the task and is now a vital cog in the Bulldog machine. He has bowled at a lively pace all season and has also turned in some matchwinning performances with the bat including a memorable effort against Balmain. His defiant knock last Saturday held the Bulldog batting together at a crucial time and has given the bowlers a good target to defend. Bankstown cricket enthusiasts are advised to keep their eye on the Cricket Show which is seen on Channel Nine at lunchtime during the Tests. A tribute will be paid to Bulldog legend Ken Hall who at the tender age of 47 has now been playing first grade cricket for 24 seasons. "Emu" as he is affectionately known because of his high stepping bowling action and his niggardly attitude to conceding runs is still one of the most enthusiastic players in the competition. He has never played second grade and has conceded an average of only 1.5 runs an over in his whole career, a fantastic achievement. Only last game he held the Bankstown batting together with a typically determined knock and then threw himself desperately across the turf to snap up a first slip classic. He has drawn plaudits from all who have got to know him over the years for his unbridled enthusiasm. The world's most determined cricketer Steve Waugh is not renowned as overly lavish with praise but remarked " if the Bulldog Club had 55 players with Emu's never say die attitude we would win everything". Great praise indeed from Mr. Determination himself !!!

"Freedman Spins out Eels"

A magnificent spell of wristspin bowling from David Freedman enabled the Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs to coast to victory over the Parramatta Eels last Saturday at Old Kings. Freedman bamboozled the hapless Parramatta batsmen who had no answer to his prodigious turn and cunning variations in flight. Snaring 6-42 from 22.4 matchwinning overs he was instrumental in bundling out the Eels for a meagre 127. Freedman produced a timely reminder to the State selectors present at the ground that he is still a topline spinner and his representative career is far from over. Skipper Kevin Roberts surprised by introducing Freedman into the attack after only ten overs and the ploy proved successful when the spinner rattled the stumps of opener Parkinson for 18. Sean McKiernan clean bowled Ratcliffe for only 1 and when Freedman toppled Twining's timber for 38 the 'Dogs were really barking. Ken Hall chimed in with the wicket of McMahon, who was brilliantly caught by Greg Trevena for 6. That was the beginning of the end for the powerless Eels with spin twins Hall and Freedman ripping through the middle and lower order with consummate ease. Hall's accuracy proved an excellent foil for Freedman and he finished with the fine figures of 3-15 from 10 probing overs. McKiernan turned in his usual enthusiastic effort to take 1-39 from 15 overs and once again was impressive. With Parra rolled well short of the required target of 276 Kevin Roberts had no hesitation in enforcing the follow on but this time the stunned Eels recovered to post 2-136 with Trevena and Freedman the wicket takers. The Bankstown fielding was of a very high standard throughout the day with no less than eight catches held to give great support to the hardworking bowlers.

Second Grade

A magnificent 146 from talented Kym Beazleigh enabled Bankstown to notch 308 last Saturday against Parramatta at Bankstown Oval. In a devastating four hour stay at the crease Beazleigh plundered 17 boundaries and a fierce pull shot for six in an innings featuring crashing cover drives and contrastingly elegant late cuts. One leg weary Parra player joked "Beazo seems to save his best for us. He made his first grade debut against us when playing for Campbelltown and dashed off a ton then." At the age of 20 Beazleigh certainly has a big future with Bulldogs and will ensure there is plenty of pressure on the first graders to perform. He received solid support from consistent wicketkeeper Chris Gane who scored 40 in a vital 121 run stand for the third wicket. Ever reliable skipper Mark Grant added 45 in a 92 run stand with Beazleigh for the fourth wicket. Allrounder Darryn Bull once again batted well to add 30 at the end with five sparkling boundaries. At stumps Parramatta had reached 0-8 in reply

Several most important fielding lapses cost the Bulldogs victory at Bankstown Oval last Saturday when the Eels proved too slippery by far in posting 8-311 after the locals had compiled an imposing 308. Hardworking paceman Hilal Dannaoui was easily the pick of the Bankstown bowlers capturing 5-88 in a hostile 22 over spell. He gained the first breakthrough for Bankstown when he shattered the stumps of the Parra opening bat with a deceptive offcutter and continued to be a nemesis to the visiting batsmen despite the idyllic conditions. Dannaoui could easily have bowled the 'Dogs to victory with a touch more good fortune.

Third Grade

Parramatta scored a solid 243 against Bankstown with Bulldog paceman Bevan Van Blerk the pick of the bowlers. He worked up good pace and troubled all batsmen in a lively spell capturing 5-49 from 20 overs and 7 maidens. Honest trundler Geoff Spotswood toiled away persistently to capture 4-52 from 18 overs in a typically hardworking effort. Unfortunately the Bankstown batting once again cracked under pressure and at stumps the side was struggling at 3-20 in reply. The best news skipper Spotswood received all week was the appearance of former first grade allrounder Paul Talbot at practice. The left arm orthodox spinner and prolific wicket taker could well be enticed out of retirement which would be a great boost for the doggies, particularly the struggling thirds.

The thirds slumped to defeat when they could only total a paltry 60 in reply to Parra's 245. The 'Dogs did show a little more spirit in the second innings with 6-124. However this was mainly due to Shane Cusick who topscored with a dynamic 56 not out to give skipper Geoff Spotswood hope that a batting revival might be just around the corner.

Fourth Grade

David Drew's high flying fourths have secured first innings points already scoring 6-263 in reply to Parra's paltry 81. Paceman Lincoln Tucker finished with the magnificent figures of 7-31 in an inspired spell. He ripped through the batting lineup with great gusto and at one stage had the hapless Parramatta batsmen reeling with figures of 6-9. Legspinner Michael Bright proved the perfect foil for the tearaway Tucker with 2-18 from his well flighted legspinners. Allrounder Bright confirmed his versatility with a dashing 69 when the 'Dogs batted and continues to show that he is a youngster with a big future. He was well supported by Mitchell Coton who contributed a delightful 41 whilst the indomitable skipper added 32 in quick time. As is becoming the norm David Thompson provided great entertainment with 29 runs from just 20 deliveries. The belligerent Bulldogs will be looking for yet another ten points when play resumes next Saturday and even at this early stage of the competition are looking definite premiership contenders.

David Drew's frontrunning fourths continued on their winning way with an inspiring outright victory over Parramatta last Saturday. The 'Dogs pounded 6-263 declared and 0-23 in reply to the puny Parramatta total of 81 and the more respectable 203. Medium pacer Darren Ettridge was the Bulldog bowling star in the second innings with 4-48 from 12 incisive overs. He swung the ball about effectively to pave the way for outright victory. Leading wicket taker Lincoln Tucker chimed in with 2-40 from 15 overs whilst legspinner Michael Bright snared 2-30 and Chris Maraziotis a timely 2-21 with his legspinners. Bankstown had no difficulty knocking off the 23 runs to ensure a ten pointer and are looking good things for the minor prermiership at least.

Fifth Grade

Aaron Klumpp's fifths are also in a commanding position with 2-86 in reply to Parramatta's meagre 145. Nineteen year old offspinner Andrew Sidie was the pick of the Bulldog bowlers showing great guile in capturing 5-23 from 19 excellent overs. He ripped through the Parra batting with consummate ease and received wholehearted support from Matt Doab who snared 2-47. Sidie completed Parra's devastation by blasting 47 runs in a mere 55 minutes with ten spectacular boundaries to place the 'Dogs in a seemingly impregnable position.

Aaron Klumpp's fifth grade side effectively crushed the Eels amassing 5-310 when chasing a paltry 145. The Eels recovered from the first innings disappointment to post 2-110 in the second dig but it was all to no avail. Brent Mills topscored for Bankstown with a punishing 52 which included six boundaries. Not far behind was promising Peter Dugmore who rattled up no less than eight fours in his 51. Brett Sweetnam compiled a useful 38 whilst Matt Doab was again amongst the runs with a stylish 31 not out. Fifteen year old Scott Jamieson plundered 35 not out in just fifteen minutes with two huge sixes in an entertaining knock. At stumps Parramatta finished with 2-105 with Brad Roberts taking the bowling honours in capturing 2-20 from his probing legspinners. Stand in skipper Klumpp is doing an excellent job despite his relative inexperience at the age of nineteen and will probably stay at the helm for a few more games as Peter Moy's return may be delayed until after Christmas.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)

© 1999