Round 7

First Grade

'Williams Ton Inspires 'Dogs'

A magnificent undefeated century from in form opening batsman Vaughan Williams enabled Bankstown to push ahead of Uni of N.S.W on the opening day of the first grade clash at Village Green last Saturday. Williams capitalised on some excellent bowling from Wayne Holdsworth and Ken Hall which enabled Uni to be bundled out for a mere 169. In reply the Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs raced to 1-171 just clinching first innings points in the last over before stumps. Livewire paceman Greg Trevena got Bankstown off to a sensational start in his first over when he trapped opener Vahandari in front of his stumps for a duck. Holdsworth made further inroads into the Uni batting lineup with some intelligent and varied pace bowling which returned him 3-99 from 23 aggressive overs. Left arm legspinner Hall carried on the good work snaring 4-42 from 19.1 penetrative overs whilst Sean McKiernan slipped in with 1-12 from some lively bowling and Trevena finished with 1-6. Hall was at his cagey best flighting the ball deceptively into the strong breeze and allowing the students no latitude at all. The fielding was very supportive with Shane Duff in good form behind the stumps snapping up two catches. Anthony Smith held onto a hot one in close whilst David Freedman snared a very sharp chance at first slip off Ken Hall. Confident batting from openers Vaughan Williams and Anthony Smith got the 'Dogs off to a flying start in reply. Williams pounced on anything short of a length and quickly dominated the pacemen whilst Smith drove and cut with an air of authority. The pair looked set to get the runs on their own when Smith's entertaining knock came to an end after he had compiled a delightful 58. He thumped nine boundaries in his 134 minute stay at the crease from just 109 balls. Williams continued on his merry way, undaunted by the loss of his partner, smashing 100 not out in a spectacular display of power hitting. The attacking strokemaker faced only 142 balls in his 163 minute action packed innings and much to the delight of the small crowd notched his century with just two balls to go to stumps. The 21 year old has been a model of consistency all season and it was great to see him carry on with the job to chalk up a memorable century. Bankstown's entertaining run spree enabled the locals to take first innings points scoring the requisite runs from a mere 45 overs. The 'Dogs will be chasing outright points when play resumes next Saturday to regain their position near the top of the table.

'Dogs Denied Outright

Despite an explosive spell from paceman Greg Trevena Uni of N.S.W. held on to deny Bankstown outright victory at Village Green last Saturday. The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs had to be content with first innings points from the game but, fortuitously, surprise results in other matches worked in their favour. Northern Districts lost to last placed Campbelltown whilst Sydney Uni, Mosman and Sutherland all suffered unexpected defeats. This means the Bulldogs are now equal fifth with Sydney Uni just six points behind Northern Districts and six clear of Mosman, Sutherland and Uni of N.S.W. Bankstown will be away to Gordon next Saturday in a one day fixture which is vital to its premiership aspirations. Unfortunately the side will be without the services of star allrounder Sean McKiernan who is out for several games with an ankle injury. Bankstown skipper Kevin Roberts elected to continue batting last Saturday against Uni of N.S.W. and declared the innings closed at 4-272 in reply to the home side's 169. Vaughan Williams continued to savage the Uni bowling relentlessly and powered his way to a personal best of 140 before his castle was knocked over. His spectacular dig lasted 277 minutes and he plundered sixteen boundaries from 231 deliveries. Tall strokemaker Paul Maraziotis grabbed the opportunity for some valuable batting practice and was untroubled to notch 51 not out in good style with six well struck boundaries. Greg Trevena raised the Bulldogs hopes for outright victory when he blasted out both Uni's opening batsmen but some stubborn batting got the students out of trouble. Wristspinner David Freedman ripped through the Uni middle order but it was all to no avail and the 'Dogs simply ran out of time Trevena finished with the fine figures of 2-31 from 15 lively overs whilst Freddie took 3-35 from 22.2 overs. Left arm orthodox spinner Ken Hall was his usual miserly self capturing 1-14 from 20 overs which included a staggering 15 maidens. Mister accuracy strikes again! The Bankstown fielding was of a high calibre with Anthony Smith snaring another good catch in close and Dean Magee also hanging on to a neat one. After a prolonged absence due to injury Magee made a most welcome return and was his usual chirpy self whilst substituting for the incapacitated Mc Kiernan. Congratulations are extended to Bulldog supremo Steve Waugh on his historic feat in becoming the first batsman to notch a century against every other Test playing nation. His typically belligerent 150 against India last Friday as he embarked on yet another rescue mission for his beloved Aussies enabled him to create the record. Truly the Bulldog of the century!!

Second Grade

The seconds also got involved in a first day result but unlike the firsts were on the receiving end of a cricket lesson from Uni of N.S.W. On a perfect batting strip at Bankstown Oval they slumped after a solid start to be rolled for a humble 113. Bankstown openers Jason Deitz and Danny Benson put on a 40 run stand with little difficulty but when Benson holed out at midwicket for 16 it triggered a sensational collapse. Deitz feathered a nick behind and was caught for 21 and after a confident start, including a spectacular pull shot for six, Daniel Moy was rolled for 25. Apart from skipper Mark Grant who fell victim to a brilliant stumping the rest of the batsmen only offered token resistance. Uni of N.S.W. showed the doggies how to bat and cruised to 4-186 before some excellent spin bowling from Darryn Bull and David Sidie saw the visitors slump to 8-209 at stumps. Sidie flighted his offspinners cleverly to capture 4-55 from 20 overs whilst Bull probed away effectively to snare 3-43 from 16 overs. Bankstown will be looking for a much improved batting effort when play resumes next Saturday.

Despite a defiant 66 from Daniel Moy and an enterprising 52 from Danny Benson Bankstown slumped to outright defeat against Uni of N.S.W. at Bankstown Oval last Saturday. The visitors declared at 9-249 after cruising past the locals meagre 113. The 'Dogs fared a little better in the second innings battling to 192 after the usual disappointing start. Daniel Moy showed plenty of Bulldog spirit however to spearhead a determined fightback scoring 66 not out with 7 boundaries and a vicious pull shot for six. He received wholehearted support from Danny Benson who contributed 52 in his valuable two hour stay at the crease. Paceman Bevan Van Blerk hit out boldly to add 17 at the end but the visitors had little trouble securing outright points and cruised to 4-62. Darryn Bull was the pick of the bowlers with 3-22 whilst substitute fieldsman Brian Smith brought the crowd to its feet with a sensational catch. Smith showed typical Bulldog determination battling on gallantly in the field despite a debilitating knee injury which would have sidelined a lesser player.

Third Grade

An explosive 137 from skipper Geoff Spotswood guided the experienced thirds to an imposing 6-310 against Uni of N.S.W. last Saturday. Spotswood opened the innings and savaged the hapless students ruthlessly in a five hour onslaught. He received great support from the in form Shane Cusick who pounded a hard hitting 56 not out whilst Andrew O'Brien was once again in fine touch with a stylish 52. O'Brien's 102 run stand with Spotswood broke the spirit of the Uni attack. With the welcome return of popular left arm spinner Paul Talbot and the promotion of evergreen David Thompson the thirds should prove very hard to beat for the rest of the season.

A most welcome return to Bankstown from the prematurely retired Paul Talbot spearheaded the thirds to their first victory of the season. The left arm spinner proved too classy for the Uni of N.S.W. batsmen claiming 4-52 from 23 excellent overs. Promising young legspinner Michael Bright benefited greatly from bowling with the experienced Talbot and learned a lot in taking 2-35. Paceman Lincoln Tucker was his usual hardworking self capturing 2-49. Andrew O'Brien once again starred in the field with another fine catch giving him 11 for the season whilst wicketkeeper James Allsopp was in exceptional form behind the stumps. He turned in an unblemished display which included a good catch and a brilliant stumping. Uni could only manage 180 in reply to the 'Dogs 6-310 and at stumps Bankstown had reached 1-55 in the second innings. Leo Taylor was in good touch with 27 not out whilst Michael Bright showed his versatility with 23 not out.

Fourth Grade

After totalling a disappointing 170 Bankstown fought back determinedly to have Uni of NSW 4-77 at stumps. Some bold hitting from paceman Jeremy Thackray who plundered 62 most valuable runs got the 'Dogs back into the game. The talented fifteen year old was left unconquered at the end of the innings proving his versatility and adaptability. He received great support from Mitchell Coton who impressed with a defiant 47 to hold the innings together. Adam Tonkin lifted the side with a brilliant run out and a vital wicket whilst Matt Doab chimed in with 1-25 and Cameron Cook 1-5

The fourths suffered a rare defeat when Uni of N.S.W compiled 243 in reply to the Bulldogs meagre 170. Jeremy Thackray was the pick of the Bankstown bowlers capturing three wickets in a lively spell to continue his consistent good form this season. The Bulldogs batsmen performed much better in the second innings and at stumps had reached 3-100. Brad Christensen compiled a tradesmanlike 23 whilst Adam Tonkin drove the ball confidently in his stylish 51 and Mitchell Coton was unconquered on 18.

Fifth Grade

Bankstown slumped to be dismissed for only 110 and in reply Uni of NSW declared at 2-111. At stumps the 'Dogs had scored 0-9 and will be looking for a much improved effort with the bat next Saturday if they are to salvage anything from the game.

Aaron Klumpp's fifth grade fought back determinedly after being headed on the first innings by Uni of N.S.W. A dynamic 136 from fifteen year old prodigy Peter Dugmore enabled Bankstown to reach an imposing 5-295 at stumps in the second innings. A solid opening stand of 77 between Gian Scuglia and Klumpp paved the way for the big score. The skipper contributed a stylish 20 whilst Scuglia timed the ball sweetly for his 45. However the day belonged to the dashing Dugmore who thumped no less than 24 boundaries in his two hour stay at the crease. He treated the Uni bowling with absolute disdain and was ably supported by Lance Brooker who finished with a delightful 41 not out.Together they compiled a massive fifth wicket stand of 192 which proved extremely entertaining for the small crowd.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)

© 1999