Bird Ruffles Sea-Eagles' Feathers

Bankstown will go into tomorrow's concluding day of Sydney Grade cricket's Round 7 with first-innings points already wrapped up, after rookie Speedblitz Blues paceman Aaron Bird demolished a Manly-Warringah batting line-up sorely missing stars Shawn Bradstreet and Michael Bevan. Bird finished with seven wickets as the Sea Eagles scraped past the one-hundred mark, a score that the Bulldogs overtook last Saturday for the loss of only one wicket. Elsewhere, competition leader Eastern Suburbs again surpassed 400 runs in a day, while Blues opener Greg Mail scored 137 for UTS-Balmain.

A recent graduate of the Australian Under-19 team, Aaron Bird (7/35) further impressed State selectors with his match-winning haul at Manly Oval. Bankstown replied to its host's score of 109 with 1/171 by stumps, Peter Dugmore (70no) and James Allsopp (66no) leading the charge for outright points.

At Village Green, home side University of NSW must chase close neighbour Eastern Suburbs' 6/414. Andrew Jeffery (108) and Mark Patterson (87) starred for the Dolphins. Unfortunately for the Bumblebees, an injured Michael Slater will be unable to assist his club in its daunting local derby.

Greg Mail, Slater's Speedblitz Blues opening partner, displayed his class at Hurstville Oval last week, recording 137 in UTS-Balmain's 6/364 against St George. He was well supported by Jason Krejza (81), who is in fine early-season form. Saints' best bowler was again 16- year old Moises Henriques (2-51), who eventually claimed Mail in his second spell.

In other matches- Blacktown 179 v North Sydney 4/150 at Joe McAleer; Campbelltown-Camden 334 v Sutherland at Raby 1; Fairfield-Liverpool 294 v Gordon at Rosedale; Mosman 321 v Northern District at Rawson; Parramatta 8/266 v Penrith at Howell; Sydney University 8/247 v Randwick Petersham at University; Western Suburbs 151 v Hawkesbury 2/42 at Pratten.