Round 5

First Grade

Limited Overs Round 4

'Dogs Devour Roosters

The high flying Bankstown-Canterbury cricket side sponsored by the Bankstown Sports Club continued on its winning way with a professional demolition job on Eastern Suburbs at Bankstown Oval last Sunday in the limited over fixture. Easts batted first and struggled against a persistent Bankstown attack compiling just 196 in ideal conditions on a perfect batting strip. Left arm wristspinner David Freedman took the bowling honours with 2-26 from 8 overs just ahead of versatile allrounder Sean McKiernan who snared 2-41 with his mediums. Consistent paceman Greg Trevena was the epitome of accuracy with 1-36 from his ten overs whilst medium pacer Matt Betsey also proved a source of frustration to the visitors with 1-22 from ten. Wayne Holdsworth and Ken Hall captured a wicket apiece to round off a competent bowling effort that placed the 'Dogs in a commanding position. Bankstown's batsmen quickly snuffed out any hopes of a rooster revival courtesy of some explosive batting from openers Vaughan Williams and Corey Richards. The pair rattled up an opening stand of 172 with Williams blasting 13 boundaries in his dashing 90 runs that took a mere 102 minutes. The indomitable Richards cruised to 91 not out pounding two mighty sixes and 8 boundaries in his 130 minute stay at the crease to guide the 'Dogs to a decisive victory. Ironically while the Bankstown batsman were in devastating form fellow Bulldog Mark Waugh was busily ripping apart the much feared Pakistani attack in the Brisbane test. The world's most elegant batsman reeled off a classic ton despite a bout of the flu to put the Aussies in a matchwinning position at the 'Gabba. It topped off a good weekend for the local legend who was also delighted with the success of pacer Oblico which he part owns and cheered to an impressive victory at Albion Park trots on Saturday night.

First Grade

In the first grade game against Northern Districts that commenced on Saturday Bankstown had reached 7-209 at the close of play. A savage storm that swept across Bankstown Oval at 4 p.m. severely dampened the 'Dogs enthusiasm and the two hours lost play could prove a source of frustration. Corey Richards looked in good touch earlier on in the day and the small crowd was disappointed when he was caught in close for a stylish 31. Former Penrith rungetter Paul Maraziotis produced the powerful strokeplay for which he is renowned notching 58 in a defiant knock. He plundered seven boundaries and one powerful six with his strong drives and savage square cuts and was involved in a 76 run stand with Kevin Roberts in even time. Skipper Robert again showed deft touch to compile 42 whilst Matt Betsey contributed a useful 25. However the severe storm threw the 'Dogs off the scent and in failing light Greg Trevena with 12 not out and Ken Hall on 8 did well to keep the Northern Districts bowlers at bay. Bankstown will be looking for more runs when play resumes next Saturday morning and hopefully the doggies tail will wag and the bowlers will be on target to contain the much vaunted N.Ds batting lineup.

Bankstown's run of success in the Belvedere Cup came to a shuddering halt last Saturday when Northern Districts plundered 4-268 in 283 minutes to snatch victory with just a couple of overs to spare. The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs resumed their innings on 7-209 at Bankstown Oval and thanks to a defiant 48 from the ever reliable Ken Hall posted the competitive total of 267. As usual the evergreen Hall showed the enthusiasm of a twenty year hold in an aggressive knock which ensured the doggies tail wagged defiantly. He received great support from paceman Greg Trevena who contributed a valuable 23 in a 68 run partnership for the eighth wicket which gave the 'Dogs a sniff of victory. Their hopes were further enhanced when that man Hall grabbed the limelight yet again. He produced an acrobatic dive at first slip to snare a remarkable catch to dismiss Daykin from the bowling of David Freedman off the last delivery before lunch. Unfortunately for the locals the afternoon belonged to the Northern Districts batsmen who weathered some lively bowling from Sean Mckiernan as they raced to victory. McKiernan produced a wholehearted effort to capture 3-67 from 17 lively overs and was by far the most dangerous of the Bulldog bowlers. Fledgling N.S.W. wicketkeeper Brad Haddin produced a gem of an innings plundering 86 in just 78 action packed minutes to get the visitors home. Unfortunately he was unable to reproduce the effort for N.S.W. on Sunday when he was dismissed for a first ball duck. Ironically it was Bankstown's Corey Richards who held the Blues batting together with a freestroking 70 from 78 deliveries after coming in on a hat trick. N.S.W. is now on top of the Mercantile Mutual Cup competition much to the delight of coach Steve "Bulldog"Small. Despite Northern Districts convincing win Bankstown skipper Kevin Roberts was pleased with the way his bowlers stuck to the task in idyllic batting conditions. He was also happy that his fieldsman gave little away and persevered despite the Haddin onslaught. It was great to see so many N.S.W. selectors in attendance at the match with John Benaud, Dion Bourne, Alan Campbell and Steve Smith all putting in an appearance. Next week the Bulldogs travel to Old Kings to play Parramatta and are very keen to get their premiership aspirations back on track. The Bankstown Club is delighted with the fact that its most famous Bulldog Steve Waugh has become a Dad again with wife Lynette presenting him with a baby boy, Austin Waugh. Steve, who is renowned for his determination and courage, also has a keen sense of humour. Many would be surprised to know that as a youngster he was a real practical joker and was always getting up to mischief. A touch of this side of his nature came to the fore during an interview after he had guided the Aussies to a stunning victory over Pakistan last Tuesday . He was explaining that he had to rush back to Sydney for the birth of the baby and he made everybody chuckle when he quipped that this was one delivery he couldn't possibly afford to miss !!

Second Grade

After a late start at 2 p.m. the Bankstown bowlers toiled away honestly to restrict Northern Districts to 7-236 from 78 overs at Waitara. Darryn Bull was at his niggardly best with 2-26 from 15 well flighted overs whilst Jason Deitz took two vital wickets with his honest mediums and pacemen Brad Roworth and Hilal Dannaoui claimed one apiece. Skipper Mark Grant was pleased with his bowlers' efforts and also the enthusiasm in the field particularly by Grant Roden whose brilliant work was rewarded with four excellent catches.

The seconds lost to Northern Districts after they compiled only 276 when chasing 304. Jason Deitz confirmed his new found allrounder status capturing 4-26 from his probing outswingers to snare the bowling honours. Once again skipper Mark Grant held the Bankstown batting together and his 53 was full of grit and determination. In form opener Anthony Smith was clearly the pick of the other batsman with a punishing 49. Once again too many Bulldog batsmen got off to a good start but failed to notch the big score that was so desperately needed. Kym Beazleigh put together a stylish 36 and a match winning innings from this very talented youngster must surely be just around the corner. Danny Benson added a solid 31 and 'keeper Chris Gane once again got a good start with 35, whilst Darryn Bull provided stubborn resistance at the end with 33.

Third Grade

The thirds have already been headed on the first innings with Northern Districts compiling 4-76 in reply to the Bulldogs paltry 75. Andrew O'Brien was the only batsman to offer any real resistance with 21 whilst Bevan Van Blerk bowled with plenty of fire to take 2-24. Skipper Geoff Spotswood slipped in with 2-8 but was not at all happy with the poor performance of his team and is looking for a vastly improved performance next week.

Geoff Spotswood's thirds fought back well after last week's batting debacle. At stumps they had reached 4-178 in reply to Northern Districts 8-246. The skipper once again grabbed the bowling honours with 3-49 whilst legspinner Cameron Cook snared 2-54 and Bevan Van Blerk 2-59. The Bankstown batting once again looked shaky at 4-67. However Andrew O'Brien and Geoff Spotswood steered the side out of trouble with an unfinished 111 run stand for the fifth wicket. The technically correct O'Brien was most impressive with a delightful 75 not out whilst Spotswood gave solid support compiling 38 not out.

Fourth Grade

David Drew's fourths were the success story of the day cruising to 2-161 in reply to Northern Districts meagre 110. Newcomer Troy Brown made a sensational debut for the club working up great pace to take 5-24 from 8 overs. Brown is an exciting young prospect from Bowral who has just returned from the under 17 tour of South Africa and certainly impressed with his potential. Jeremy Thackray gave wholehearted support snaring 2-19 from 7 overs whilst Lincoln Tucker captured 2-52 and legspinner Michael Bright 1-0. The skipper certainly led by example with three fine catches behind the stumps. Brad Christensen guided the 'Dogs to first innings points with a dashing 51 not out whilst Mitchell Coton notched a stylish 40 and Adam Tonkin a determined 35. Experienced David Thompson blasted 25 in just 20 balls in a delightful little cameo at the end of the day and the 'Dogs will be looking for outright points when play resumes next Saturday.

David Drew's fourths saved the club from the embarrassment of a complete wipeout with a stunning outright victory over Northern Districts at Asquith. Bankstown scored 2-161 and 6-192 in reply to N.Ds 110 and 2-241. The home side's run spree in the second innings left the 'Dogs the difficult task of scoring more than five runs an over. However an inspiring captain's knock of 53 from Drew paved the way for a doggies ten pointer. Talented young allrounder Michael Bright chimed in with a dashing 42, Mitchell Coton a quickfire 35 whilst David Thompson followed his 1-8 with the ball by steering the side home with an entertaining 38 not out. Thompson's experience is proving of immense value to David Drew and his young charges and although handicapped by a leg injury and batting with a runner big Tom still did the job.

Fifth Grade

The fifths had reached 6-123 when rain washed out play for the day against Northern Districts. Brent Mills was in dashing form for the 'Dogs scoring a superb unconquered 65 in a defiant knock which held the brittle Bankstown batting together. The seventeen years old strokemaker will be looking for support from the tail when play resumes next week if the 'Dogs are to compile a competitive total.

The fifths tumbled to defeat on the first innings at Punchbowl with Northern Districts scoring 232 and 3-30 against Bankstown's 130 and 146. Accomplished strokemaker Brent Mills was easily the pick of the batsmen with 66 in the ill fated first innings whilst stand in skipper Aaron Klumpp topscored in the second dig with a defiant 42 which included 7 entertaining boundaries. Sixteen years old Brad Roberts showed plenty of potential with a determined 31 whilst Michael Polson added a useful 24. Legspinner Roberts also impressed with the ball taking 4-35 whilst Brett Sweetnam bowled tidily to take 2-35. Cameron Phelps gave nothing away with some accurate outswing bowling conceding only 23 runs in 11 overs. Unfortunately promising Lance Brooker broke a finger and will be out for some time but the good news is that skipper Peter Moy is recovering well from a heart problem. He was able to get to the ground on Saturday to supervise his young charges and is looking forward to resuming as captain when fully recovered.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)

© 1999