Round 3

Limited Overs Round 2

'Dogs Slay Dragons Bankstown batted first against Saint George on Sunday compiling an impressive 278 thanks to a dashing 104 from N.S.W. representative Corey Richards and a sparkling 88 not out from skipper Kevin Roberts. Richards drove and cut the ball superbly pounding two sixes and eight fours off just 111 balls. Roberts celebrated the return from his honeymoon with an entertaining knock that included four boundaries and four crowd pleasing sixes off just 69 balls whilst the ever reliable Matt Betsey contributed an aggressive 46. Saints got off to a fine start and looked a big chance until the irrepressible Betsey chimed in to take three wickets including the prized scalp of former Bankstonian Scott Thompson who was brilliantly caught behind by Shane Duff. Surprise packet Corey Richards chimed in with 2-28 from 5 tidy overs of offspin and the Dragons were restricted to 7-242 for the 'Dogs to post their second victory of the weekend. Next Saturday Bankstown takes on Sydney University at Bankstown Oval in a game that has added interest because of the return of Danny Waugh to his old home ground.

First Grade

" Dogs Tame Tigers"

On a hot day and an excellent Drummoyne Oval batting strip the Bankstown-Canterbury cricket side bowled and fielded well to contain the Balmain Tigers to 8-230 last Saturday in the first grade fixture. The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs made early inroads into the Balmain batting courtesy of promising allrounder Matthew Betsey who used the new ball effectively to rip through the Tigers top order. He enticed Hayne to snick a seaming delivery into the ever reliable hands of Ken Hall, trapped former Bankstown opener Brett Elliott in front of his stumps for a duck and similarly disposed of Schutz for only 8 to have the Tigers struggling. When Sargent was run out for just 3 the 'Dogs had really taken control however a middle order fightback got the home side back in the game. Fortunately for Bankstown Ken Hall struck to dismiss Maxwell for 94 and with hardworking paceman Greg Trevena taking the vital wicket of Everest for 65 and shattering the stumps of Colbran for 1 the Bulldogs were barking again. Some spirited resistance from the tail held up the Bankstown attack until wrist spinner David Freedman deceived Thorpe and had him well stumped by 'keeper Duff for 16. Bankstown will be looking to wrap up the innings when play resumes next Saturday and with in form Blues batsman Corey Richards available the locals are confident of victory. Betsey finished with the excellent figures of 3-36 from 19 overs including 7 maidens whilst Greg Trevena snared 2-40 from 14 lively overs. As usual Ken Hall was the epitome of accuracy with 1-38 from 24 economical overs whilst New South Wales cricket Development Officer David Freedman captured 1-59 but bowled without luck. Charismatic skipper Wayne Holdsworth was well satisfied with the bowling and fielding and apart from his lack of success with the toss thoroughly enjoyed being at the helm of the Bulldogs in the absence of the honeymooning Kevin Roberts.

Sensational hitting from David Freedman in the last over of the day enabled Bankstown to edge out Balmain in the first grade cricket fixture last Saturday. The affable wristspinner was under great pressure but still plundered a six and a four from the last two balls of the day to enable the 'Dogs to pull off a stunning victory. The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs notched 8-265 in reply to the Tigers 8-261 to just scrape home in the Drummoyne Oval thriller. To top off a great weekend Bankstown convincingly defeated Saint George at Bankstown Oval on Sunday to capture another vital six points and move to third spot on the competition ladder. In the Balmain game the Tigers elected to bat on into the second day and when the 'Dogs eventually got to the crease they started shakily with Corey Richards trapped LBW by an unplayable shooter. However, fellow opener Vaughan Williams continued his fine early season form and steadied the ship with a confident 42 from 94 balls. Hard hitting Paul Maraziotis also looked in good touch but was the victim of an unfortunate mix up and run out for 36. Lefthander Matt Betsey followed his fine bowling effort last week with a useful 30 and is proving to be a versatile allrounder and a valuable acquisition to the club. However, the biggest plus for the Bulldogs was the excellent batting from Sean McKiernan who contributed a vital 57 not out. The talented allrounder guided the locals to victory with some attractive strokeplay and defiant defence notching his runs from just 94 deliveries in a spirited innings. He received wholehearted support from wicketkeeper Shane Duff who put together a quickfire 30 that included 2 spectacular sixes. However, Duff's dismissal left Bankstown the daunting task of scoring nearly nine runs an over for victory with McKiernan the only recognised batsman left. Nathan Bracken kept the score moving along with 20 in just 17 minutes but with only one over to be bowled and 12 runs needed a draw looked the most likely result. Victory for the Bulldogs appeared even more unlikely with seven runs required off just two deliveries in fading light. However, a mighty straight hit for six by David Freedman levelled the scores and when the final delivery was dispatched effortlessly to the boundary the 'Dogs had pulled off an amazing four run victory. Whilst the Freedman heroics grabbed the limelight the value of McKiernan's knock should not be overlooked as he was the mainstay of the strong batting lineup. It was poetic justice that the 'Dogs snared the six points as they scored their runs from just 91 overs compared to the Tigers painstaking 106 overs.

Second Grade

After losing the toss at Bankstown Oval last Saturday the 'Dogs chased leather all day with Balmain compiling a solid 379. Paceman Hilal Dannaoui was most impressive and with an ounce of luck could have finished with much better figures than his 3-63 from 23 overs with 7 maidens. He beat the bat repeatedly and at times found the edge without result in a wholehearted but frustrating display. He received good support from persistent offspinner David Sidie who captured four wickets in his 28 over spell. Apart from a couple of lapses the fielding was good with allrounder Grant Roden taking two catches including a spectacular effort on the boundary and Shane Cusick showing great determination to run down a spiralling mishit over the slips cordon.

Some injudicious strokeplay from the top order cost the seconds any chance of victory in their quest for 379 runs against Balmain at Bankstown Oval last Saturday. Consistent rungetter Daniel Moy was the pick of the Bulldog batsmen with a stylish 51 that rescued the locals from a disastrous 5-92. Moy receieved good support from the ever reliable skipper Mark Grant who contributed a defiant 50 not out and in so doing gave his young charges a lesson in patience and disciplined strokeplay. Kym Beazleigh contributed 29 and looked in good touch until he nicked one to the 'keeper whilst Chris Gane compiled 27. Darryn Bull with 22 and Grant Roden 20 provided a stubborn rearguard action but Bankstown eventually succumbed for 233 and the captain was once again most disappointed that so many of his topline batsmen got off to a good start but failed to capitalise.

Third Grade

Thanks to a fighting opening stand from James Bourne and Leo Taylor The Bulldogs totalled 6-264 against Balmain last Saturday. Bourne, who has started the season in great style, compiled a forceful 68 with thirteen boundaries including three audacious lofted shots into the vacant outfield whilst Englishman Leo Taylor confirmed he would be a handy acquisition this season with a useful 44. Skipper Geoff Spotswood capitalised on the good start with a hard hitting 47 whilst legspinner Cameron Cook confirmed his allround value with a stylish 30 not out and Brad Christensen pounded five boundaries in his quickfire 24. The captain was quite happy with the solid batting display and is looking to a similar performance from his bowlers next week as the side chases their first victory.

The thirds were held to a frustrating draw when Balmain struggled to 9-131 in reply to the 'Dogs 8-270. Geoff Spotswood was the pick of the bowlers with 5-45 from 23 overs of probing inswing. The skipper received good support from promising young paceman Brad Roworth who captured 3-39 from 14 lively overs. Andrew O'Brien was once again the pick of the fieldsmen with 2 fine catches but the rest of the fielding was disappointing with four dropped catches costing the side victory.

Fourth Grade

Another blistering century from seventeen years old Jarrad Way enabled Bankstown to amass 6-301 against Balmain last Saturday. Way compiled a chanceless 150 not out to follow on his 101 last week in a sensational start to the season. The Alfords Point youngster batted throughout the innings to notch nine boundaries and a punishing six in a very mature knock. He received great support from Michael Bright in a third wicket partnership that produced 98 runs in just 95 minutes. Bright contributed an elegant 50 and then after a mini collapse versatile allrounder Dave Ward joined the relentless Way. The pair combined for a whirlwind seventh wicket stand which produced 126 of which Ward thumped an aggressive 59 not out. Skipper David Drew was most impressed with the form of the youngsters, particularly Way, which bodes well for the future of the Bulldogs.

The fourths cruised to victory when Balmain could only manage to total 217 well short of the required 301. Legspinner Michael Bright took the bowling honours with 4-80 from 22 well flighted overs whilst medium pacer Darren Ettridge moved the ball around impressively to take 2-18 from 11 accurate overs. Sixteen years old Ettridge from Milperra is a promising swing bowler who flights the ball deceptively. He relished the rare opportunity to take the new ball and troubled all batsmen in a useful spell. Lincoln Tucker was right on target with 2-26 from 14 economical overs whilst Dave Ward and Clintin Price also bowled accurately to further frustrate the Balmain batsmen. Evergreen David Thompson showed he had not lost his lightning reflexes with two fine slips catches whilst Michael Bright topped off a good game with a fine run out which finished off the hapless Tigers.

Fifth Grade

The fifths totalled a disappointing 194 and at stumps had the Tigers 1-20 in reply. Once again Chris Maraziotis was the pick of the batsman with a stylish 49 which included six boundaries. Brent Mills also was in good touch with 33 whilst Andrew Sidie added 22 and Brad Roberts a defiant 26 and was involved in a valuable 57 run partnership for the seventh wicket with Maraziotis. Skipper Peter Moy was the wicket taker for the 'Dogs but was very disappointed that two chances were put down and expects a much better effort in the field when play resumes on Saturday.

The fearless fifths came from a seemingly hopeless position to snatch victory thanks to a stunning display of legspin bowling from Chris Maraziotis. Chasing Bankstown's humble 194 the Tigers looked certainties to cruise to victory at 1-133 but versatile allrounder Maraziotis sent them spinning to defeat with 6-57 from 27 matchwinning overs. He flighted the ball cleverly and extracted plenty of turn from the placid pitch to trouble all batsmen and received great support from medium pace swing bowler Brett Sweetnam who captured 2-14. Skipper Peter Moy snared 2-25 from 18 economical overs and was delighted with the fighting Bulldog spirit shown by his young charges.

© 1999