Sydney Grade: Bankstown news, Round Fifteen, Day One

The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs went on a run spree against Petersham last Saturday at Petersham Oval scoring 8-377 in the last round of the competition before the finals.

Allrounders Matt Betsey and Greg Trevena were the batting stars for the Bulldogs and there was a touch of irony about the fact that both of them notched up their first centuries for Bankstown-Canterbury on the same day. Skipper Kevin Roberts won the toss and elected to bat but the 'Dogs were soon in trouble losing both openers with a mere 21 runs on the board.

Kym Beazleigh and Matt Betsey steadied the ship with a 59 run partnership but when Beazleigh was caught for 22 and very quickly followed back to the pavilion by Roberts, Bankstown was precariously poised on 4-70. Undeterred, Betsey and wicketkeeper Shane Duff ripped into the Petes bowlers with a 71 run partnership in just 64 minutes. Duff notched 7 boundaries in his handy 36 but his departure paved the way for Greg Trevena to join Betsey in what proved to be a crucial sixth wicket stand. Trevena celebrated his promotion in the batting order with a sparkling cover drive to the boundary off the first ball he received indicating he was in ominous form. Together with Betsey he wrested the initiative away from the Petersham bowlers and enabled the 'Dogs to take control.

Ironically the Bulldog selectors had opted to go into the game with just five specialist batsmen because of their faith in Trevena's batting ability and the tall hard hitting paceman certainly vindicated their faith in him. Betsey powered on relentlessly to his first century for his new club plundering 16 boundaries, one glorious straight drive for six and a rather more fortuitous one which came as a result of four overthrows. Betsey was eventually dismissed just before tea for a superb 115 which came in 218 minutes from just 167 balls.

The versatile allrounder has become a vital cog in the Bulldog machine since coming from Wests and has already amassed 611 runs this season as well as snaring 31 wickets. After tea Trevena cut loose with some powerful pull shots, delicate late cuts and of course his trademark cover drives. In partnership with the ever reliable Ken Hall he plundered the Petes bowling relentlessly rushing from 38 to 74 in boundaries. In what became a race against the clock Trevena notched his century in the second last over of the day to finish on 104 not out from 178 balls in 228 minutes reaching the fence on no less than 20 occasions. It was the popular paceman's first century ever for Bankstown and it was a great credit to the 24 year old that it was posted in the top grade and in such a convincing manner.

Ken Hall, who has formed some useful partnerships with Trevena in the past, chimed in with a quickfire 34. The veteran spinner hit two sixes in three deliveries with a pull shot and a savagely struck square cut much to the delight of the small crowd. David Freedman added 19 and Nathan Bracken 13 not out as the 'Dogs plundered 8-377 from 100 overs in 385 minutes.

The seconds flickering hopes of making the playoffs were all but extinguished last Saturday at Bankstown Oval as they struggled to 4-59 chasing Petersham's solid 256. Exciting young speedster Brad Roworth was the best of the Bankstown bowlers taking 6-34 from his 15 hostile overs. His unerring accuracy and great pace enabled him to comprehensively bowl three of his hapless victims. The first of these dismissals was a most spectacular one as Roworth sent the middle stump cartwheeling out of the ground. Unfortunately the rest of the Bankstown bowling was nowhere near as impressive and the Petersham batsmen took advantage of this to post their runs in even time.The Bankstown batting was a major disappointment against the persistent Petersham attack. Chris Gane topscored with a solid 20 but the Bulldogs fortunes very much rest with not out batsmen Daniel Moy and Dean Magee who will need to post a big partnership when play resumes this Saturday to wrest the initiative from the Petersham bowlers..

Thirds have a good chance to finish the season on a winning note after scoring 223 last Saturday and then snaring 3 Petersham wickets for just 35 runs. Cameron Cook confirmed his allround ability with a defiant 49 to hold the batting together whilst offspinner David Sidie chimed in with a useful 38. Skipper Geoff Spotswood also looked in good touch with a typically hard fought 30. Troy Brown and David Sidie have captured a wicket apiece for the 'Dogs and with Geoff Spotswood fresh from his personal record nine wicket haul against Fairfield last game the bowlers will be looking to press home the advantage when play resumes on Saturday.

Fiery pace bowling from Lincoln Tucker enabled Bankstown to dismiss Petersham for just 194 last Saturday. In reply Bankstown reached 2-35 at stumps and the Bulldog not out batsmen Michael Bright and Adam Tonkin will be looking to consolidate when play resumes next Saturday in a game that is vital to the team's playoff prospects. Tucker ripped through the Petersham batting lineup with some intelligent bowling and was justly rewarded with 6-48 from his 20 hardworking overs. He received good support from legspinner Michael Bright who bowled most accurately to take 1-43 from his 21 overs whilst Green Shield quick Jeremy Thackray worked up good pace in his enthusiastic spell..

Aaron Klumpp's fifths look like ending the season on a good note after scoring 232 and ripping through the Petersham batsmen to leave them struggling at 6-37 when play finished for the day. Brett Sweetnam held the Bulldog batting together with a brilliant 99 and it was most unfortunate that his magnificent effort was not rewarded with a triple figure score.The aggressive 17 year old was out to a freakish catch which had looked a certain boundary off the bat but was very philosophical about his bad luck. He received good support from consistent Gian Scuglia who scored 27 but the rest of the batting was disappointing. Prolific wicket taker Matt Doab wrecked Petersham's hopes capturing 5-13 from his dynamic 8 over spell. The most consistent paceman will be looking to carry on the good work when play resumes next Saturday. Sweetnam topped off an excellent day by capturing 1-10 in a tidy spell and is proving a most valuable allrounder.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)