Round 4

First Grade

Rain Washes Out 'Dogs

The wet weather last weekend frustrated the Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs and deprived the team from continuing their fine early season form. No play was possible against either Sydney Uni on the Saturday or Hawkesbury in the Sunday limited overs game.

First grade will now play a 120 over game against Sydney Uni next Saturday at Bankstown Oval with the game commencing at 9 a.m. The 'Dogs have won three out of four games this season with N.S.W batsman Corey Richards the leading rungetter compiling 180 at an average of 45. Skipper Kevin Roberts has only been available for two games but has the Bradmanlike average of 123 having been dismissed only once whilst newcomer Matt Betsey has settled in well with 125 runs at 31.25. The promising 22 year old allrounder has also been the mainstay of the bowling with 9 wickets at 17.4 runs apiece and will be a key player in the Bulldogs quest for premiership honours.

With work progressing steadily on the renovations to Bankstown Oval and the new grandstand and pavilion expected to be opened in six weeks much excitement is being generated in local cricketing circles especially with the prospect of representative fixtures coming to the district. Bankstown's remaining home games are;

Sydney Uni 30th October
Eastern Suburbs Sunday 7th November[ limited overs],
Northern Districts 6th and 13th November,
Sutherland Sunday 28th November [limited overs]
North Sydney 8th and 9th January,
Penrith 29th Jan and 5th Feb.
Wests 12th and 13th Feb.
Fairfield 19th and 26th Feb.

Second Grade

Second grade did manage to squeeze in some cricket on Saturday before the deluge drove them from the field and when play was curtailed for the day Sydney Uni had reached a solid 1-91.

Third Grade

Bankstown's third grade had much more success with their short stint on the field and thanks to some excellent outswing bowling from Matt Smith. Uni were left struggling at 3-81. Smith moved the ball appreciably to trouble all batsmen capturing 3-24 from seven penetrative overs but just when he looked likely to rip through the students batting lineup the heavens opened and play finished for the day.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)

© 1999