Sydney Grade: Bankstown news, Round Thirteen

Last Saturday Wayne Holdsworth became the greatest ever first grade wicket taker for the Bankstown-Canterbury Club when he took his tally to 399 wickets which is one more than paceman Len Pascoe's previous longstanding record of 398.

It was great to see Pascoe make a special trip to the newly refurbished Bankstown Oval last Sunday to congratulate his fast bowling compatriot Holdsworth on his mighty effort. Holdsworth drew level with Pascoe when he had Wests McCaffery caught behind by Shane Duff then edged ahead to create the new record when he shattered the stumps of Horsley to wind up the innings.

Holdsworth epitomises the Bulldog spirit with his never say die attitude and has had a distinguished first class career with 212 wickets including best figures of 7-41 versus Queensland. He helped N.S.W. win the Sheffield Shield in 1992-93 with inspired performances which culminated in his selection in the Australian team which toured England for the 1993 Ashes series.

Last weekend the Bulldogs continued on their winning way with a professional demolition job on arch rivals Wests at Bankstown Memorial Oval. Mainly due to a brilliant bowling performance from allrounder Matt Betsey the Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs dismissed Wests for just 107. Betsey pulled out a great effort against his old club taking 5-39 in an inspired spell to deal the Magpies premiership aspirations a savage blow. Nathan Bracken got the 'Dogs off to a great start when he trapped Taylor L.B.W. for 3 then after a promising stand the Wests batsmen capitulated to the Betsey blitz. Greg Trevena chimed in to uproot Sullivan's middle stump in spectacular fashion and then remove Austin to ram home the advantage. The irrepressible Holdsworth completed the rout and the 'Dogs were faced with the meagre target of just 107. Trevena finished with 2-29, record breaker Holdsworth 2-22 and Bracken 1-14 in a pleasing fitness trial for N.S.W. selection.

Apart from a couple of bungled run outs the fielding was good with Kevin Roberts taking a sensational gully catch off Betsey to set the example. The Bulldog innings started disastrously with the loss of Vaughan Williams from a brute of a delivery but Kym Beazleigh steadied the ship with a fighting 23. Bankstown tried valiantly to get the runs before stumps on Saturday evening because of the threatening weather and looked right on target before skipper Kevin Roberts holed out at mid off for 25. This triggered a diabolical collapse and when bad light eventually terminated play at 7 p.m. the Bulldogs were precariously poised on 8-101.

When play resumed on Sunday morning the ever reliable partnership of Greg Trevena and Ken Hall guided the 'Dogs to victory and a total of 167. They added 65 for the ninth wicket with Hall contributing a flawless 35 and Trevena a spirited 33 which included some delightful cover drives. At stumps the Magpies had reached 1-126 in a much improved effort but unfortunately for them the bird had flown and the Bulldogs took the vital six points.

Next Saturday Bankstown takes on Sean Pope's Fairfield side in a vital local derby and a large crowd is expected at Bankstown Oval for what could be a most interesting clash with Pope hoping to turn it on for the masses against his old club.

The seconds continued on their winning way scoring 217 and dismissing Wests for just 151 at Pratten Park. Jason Deitz topscored for the Bulldogs with a punishing 47 whilst Dean Magee added a useful 22. Allrounder Grant Roden once again came to the rescue with a hard hitting 39 to push the total up to a respectable one. Jason Deitz's outstanding outswingers ripped the heart out of the Wests batting and he took 5-21 to send the home side tumbling to defeat. He received great support from Roden who topped off a fine game with 2-24 and his fiery display ensured the 'Dogs were able to cruise to victory. Mark Grant's side has proved to be somewhat of an enigma this season and after a string of defeats prior to Christmas have certainly turned things around in the new year.

Thirds once again copped a hiding with Wests blasting 2-189 on reply to the 'Dogs meagre 188. James Bourne notched a solid 21 whilst Leo Taylor added a handy 22. However it was wicketkeeper James Allsopp and paceman Troy Brown who showed the batsmen how to wield the willow. Allsopp who has been appointed captain of the A.W. Green Shield rep side put together a determined 35 showing maturity beyond his years whilst the hard hitting Brown also notched a useful 35. The Bankstown bowling was very disappointing for such an experienced outfit and the thirds will have to lift their game if they are to finish the season on a winning note.

The fourths kept their premiership hopes alive scoring 213 and restricting Wests to 9-198 at Blick Oval last Saturday. As usual Mitchell Coton held the Bulldogs batting together and his delightful 53 included no less than nine well struck boundaries. He received great support from Peter Dugmore who once again displayed his undoubted potential with a stylish 44 which included a stunning nine fours. Jarrad Way chimed in with a handy 23 which lifted the Bankstown total to a respectable one. However the total looked insignificant as Wests cruised to 1-74 but some excellent bowling from medium pacer Darren Ettridge turned the game around. He beat the bat repeatedly to take 3-26 from ten overs and received good support from Thackray, Bright, Tonkin and Sidie who all gave away very little.

The fifths continued on their winning way with a fighting victory over Wests at Punchbowl. Bevan Van Blerk who is on the comeback trail after injury proved his fitness with 2-31 from 12 overs whilst Brett Sweetnam took 2-51 from his 12 allotted overs. Aaron Klumpp chimed in with 2-36 and skipper Peter Moy was happy to contain Wests to 7-207. In reply Bankstown started off badly with 2-20 and things got worse as they slumped to 4-47. However a dashing knock from 16 year old Brad Roberts turned the game around. Roberts pounded 11 boundaries in a chanceless 105 not out and the ferocity of his square cutting was a delight to behold. The youngster received good support from Lance Brooker who scored a defiant 27 of the vital 86 run partnership for the fifth wicket. However following the departure of Brooker there was still plenty of work to be done and Van Blerk was just the man for the job. He sensibly turned over the strike to the in form Roberts then pounded five boundaries in his quickfire 27 not out which saw the 'Dogs safely home at 6-210.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)