Sydney Grade: Bankstown news, Poidevin-Gray Shield Rounds 5-7

In a thrilling encounter at Hurstville Oval on Sunday Bankstown was narrowly beaten by St. George in the last over of the day. Requiring six runs to win from the final over with two wickets in hand the Dragons seemed in a good position but when Grant Roden took a wicket from his first ball things became much more interesting. Unfortunately for the 'Dogs the Saints managed to scrape home with a couple of fortuitous hits. Earlier in the day Bankstown had received a solid start courtesy of a craftsmanlike 49 from in form opening bat James Bourne. Prolific rungetter Kym Beazleigh capitalised with a quickfire 40 from just 51 balls including five boundaries whilst Andrew O'Brien added 21.However it was a dashing 54 in just 60 balls from punishing allrounder Grant Roden batting at number seven that enabled Bankstown to reach a competitive 212. Roden completed a fine double with 3-38 in a fiery spell and went within a whisker of snatching victory for the Bulldogs. Fellow paceman Clintin Price gave good support with 2-52 whilst the rest of the wickets were shared around. Chris Gane was in great form behind the stumps with two good catches but unfortunately the rest of the fielding was disappointing with several muffed chances making life difficult for the bowlers.

The Bankstown under 21 side kept their premiership aspirations alive with a 20 run victory over Hawkesbury at Bankstown Oval last Sunday. Ever reliable rungetter James Bourne paved the way for the impressive Bulldog total of 279 with a hard hitting 78 in just 136 minutes from 115 balls and in recent weeks has stamped himself as an opener with unlimited potential. His partnership with Kym Beazleigh who contributed a classy 61 gave the locals the initiative early and laid the foundation for the big score. Beazleigh played some delightful cover drives in yet another impressive knock and it came as a surprise when he pulled a short ball straight to midwicket whilst Bourne once again looked well on his way to a ton when he holed out to a brilliant catch at mid on.. Sean McKiernan scored 28 in a welcome return whilst Danny Benson also notched 28 in good style. David Sidie hit out aggressively for what proved to be a very valuable 33 not out to give the Bulldog bowlers that little extra to defend. Hawkesbury slumped to 6-120 and the game looked over but some hard hitting by the Hawks turned the game around to such an extent that they looked in with a great chance at 7-250. However the return of Bankstown paceman Grant Roden enabled the 'Dogs to regain the initiative. The fiery fast bowler who almost snatched victory from the Dragons last week took wickets with successive deliveries to swoop on the hapless Hawks. He polished them off for 259 when Brad Roworth held on to a blistering on drive from Hawkesbury's century maker enabling Roden to finish with 4-43 and easily capture the bowling honours. Clintin Price bowled at a lively pace to take 2-26 whilst Brad Roworth snared 2-57. Bulldog coach Gary Crowfoot was pleased with the way the'Dogs stuck to their guns despite a couple of unfortunate fielding lapses.

The Bankstown under 21 side scored a decisive victory last Sunday against Randwick at Coogee Oval. The young Bulldogs batted first and totalled 177 mainly due to the fine form of lefthand strokemaker Danny Benson who compiled a delightful 57 whilst others struggled. Determined nineteen year old Andrew O'Brien worked the ball around stylishly for 28 but the rest of the batting was most disappointing. Once again the Bankstown bowlers came to the rescue firing out Randwick for a meagre 144 in reply. Paceman Brad Roworth spearheaded the Bulldogs onslaught with a devastating 4-28 from his allotted 12 overs whilst fellow quick Grant Roden chimed in with 2-45 to complete the rout. The Bulldog fielding was at times brilliant highlighted by a smart piece of work from Kym Beazleigh who threw down the stumps from side on for a spectacular run out.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)