Sydney Grade: Bankstown news, Poidevin-Gray Shield Rounds 1-4

Poidevin-Gray Round 1

The under 21 P-G side lost a frustrating encounter with the star studded Sutherland lineup on a countback last Sunday. Bankstown batted first on a good Caringbah pitch and were cruising along at 3-119 when rain interrupted play. On resumption the 'Dogs appeared to lose momentum and could total only 177. Danny Benson was the batting star with a delightful 59 and received good support from David Sidie who added a solid 23. Grant Roden hit out boldly at the end with 19 useful runs. Sean Mckiernan blasted through the Sharks batting lineup taking the first five wickets and with the score 6-55 Bankstown looked a good chance of springing an upset. However another rain stoppage enabled Sutherland to recover and reach 8-175. This was enough to give them victory on a countback despite the magnificent bowling of McKiernan who finished with 5-33. Offspinner David Sidie also bowled well taking 2-12. Brad Roworth excelled in close to the wicket with two fine catches whilst Chris Gane again kept well with two catches and a stumping. To add to Bankstown's woes Sutherland's topscorer was twice caught off no balls in a day when the 'Dogs couldn't seem to take a trick.. Despite the defeat it was a great performance by the youngsters and augurs well for the rest of the competition.

Poidevin-Gray Round 2

Bankstown's under 21 side notched an important victory against Eastern Suburbs last Sunday. A confident opening stand of 68 between James Bourne and Sean McKiernan got the 'Dogs off to a great start before Bourne was caught for a solid 27. McKiernan powered his way to 42 in good style whilst the very much in form Kym Beazleigh hammered home the advantage with a delightful 70 from just 82 balls including a giant six over midwicket. Danny Benson combined with Beazleigh to post a 105 run partnership for the third wicket in just 75 minutes and his stylish 46 came in quick time. Some brilliant swing bowling from Darren Ettridge enabled the 'Dogs to rip through the Easts batting lineup. Ettridge moved the ball around deceptively to capture 5-35 as the Roosters slumped to be all out for 181. Offspinner David Sidie snared 2-18 in a tidy spell whilst Daniel Moy took 1-12 and the bowlers received great support from their fieldsman. Grant Roden led the way with a brilliant run out after a lightning return from fine leg which brought to an end a promising partnership. He also grabbed two useful catches whilst 'keeper Chris Gane snared three to clinch victory.

Poidevin-Gray Round 3

Bankstown's under 21 side chalked up its second successive victory with a professional demolition job over Manly at Bankstown Oval last Sunday. A fiery opening bowling spell from Grant Roden got the 'Dogs off to just the start they needed A hostile Roden troubled all batsman capturing 3-39 and the Sea Eagles never really recovered, totalling just 180. In reply Bankstown started shakily and looked in trouble at 2-14. However a defiant partnership between James Bourne and Danny Benson lifted the total to the relative security of 2-82 at tea. Unfortunately Bourne was dismissed straight after the interval but his accomplished 30 had enabled the 'Dogs to regain control. Daniel Moy and Danny Benson hammered home the advantage to set up victory with Benson particularly aggressive through the midwicket area. He blasted 14 boundaries in his powerful 79 ripping apart the much vaunted Manly attack. Grant Roden dashed off a quickfire 16 whilst the ever reliable Moy played some delightful cover drives in his impressive 36 not out as the 'Dogs cruised to victory with 5-184. Bankstown are now looking a distinct premiership threat and hope to carry on the good work next Sunday against Gordon at Bankstown.

Poidevin-Gray Round 4

The high flying under 21 side completed its third successive victory by inflicting a massive defeat on Gordon last Sunday at Bankstown Oval. A magnificent 134 not out from just 147 balls by talented young strokemaker Kym Beazleigh spearheaded the Bulldogs to a mammoth 6-337 to place them in an invincible position. Gordon fought back strongly but the target proved beyond them and they finished with 6-257. Bankstown's openers laid the foundation for the huge score with an aggressive 66 run partnership. Andrew O'Brien contributed a useful 23 whilst James Bourne quickly asserted his authority over the Gordon bowlers with a hard hitting 57 from a mere 55 balls including eight forceful boundaries. Grant Roden and Beazleigh then methodically tore apart the Gordon attack notching 124 runs for the third wicket in only 106 minutes. Roden relished his promotion in the batting order plundering 59 runs from just 74 balls including six boundaries and a giant six. When Daniel Moy joined Beazleigh their whirlwind stand produced 98 runs in only 42 minutes. Moy played a delightful little cameo dashing off 38 runs from a mere 24 balls to complete the devastation. However the day belonged to the stylish Beazleigh who plundered 14 boundaries and two enormous sixes in a power packed display. He combined immaculate defence with aggressive pull shots and some savagely struck straight drives as he raced to his ton and beyond. His maturity showed through as he batted to the end of the sixty overs to ensure a Gordon victory was nigh on impossible. The visitors tried hard but were never really in the hunt . Promising paceman Clintin Price was the pick of the Bankstown bowlers with 2-31 from 8 overs. The 'Dogs relaxed towards the end and presented Gordon with an early Christmas present by bowling their part timers when victory was assured. It was a most generous gesture which only served to prolong the Highlanders' agony.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)