Sydney Juniors: Bankstown win Green Shield again

The Bankstown-Canterbury under sixteen A.W.Green Shield side completed a unique double when they won the competition for the second season in a row with a convincing victory over Penrith last Sunday in the final at Rosedale Oval.

Under the shrewd guidance of perennial Coach Ian Gill and Manager Noel Trevena the side went through the competition undefeated ensuring that the future of the Bulldogs Cricket Club is in very good hands.

Skipper and wicketkeeper/batsman James Allsopp, who shows maturity beyond his years, won the toss last Sunday under hot conditions and elected to bat. The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs got off to a good start with a solid opening partnership of 40 between Peter Dugmore and Brant Burke-Douglas. However a mini collapse saw the 'Dogs slump to a precarious 5-96 before some defiant batting from the middle order and a fighting innings from Dugmore got the Bulldogs barking again.

With the ball keeping low on a difficult turning pitch Dugmore was absolutely superb combining determined defence with some audacious hitting to keep the persistent Panther bowlers at bay. He was denied an almost certain century when he was surprisingly adjudged caught and bowled from a shot that appeared to be hammered into the pitch but his spirited 79 from a 117 minute stay at the crease proved to be the matchwinner.

Luke Windred rammed home the advantage with a hard hitting 24 not out and Jeremy Thackray hit out boldly for 10. Steve Harris chimed in with a valuable 20 which included some well timed drives and Cale Wong contributed 10 including a delightful pull through midwicket to the boundary as Bankstown reached 169.

Jeremy Thackray fresh from his sensational hat trick against Hawkesbury got the first breakthrough for the 'Dogs when he shattered the stumps of the bewildered Penrith opening batsman. Cale Wong and Michael Polson both trapped batsmen in front of their stumps and when the irrepressible Dugmore chimed in to take a wicket courtesy of an excellent diving catch at point by Michael Polson the Panthers were in trouble. Legspinner Michael Bright produced a brilliant flipper to trap another victim in front of his stumps and at tea the Panthers had slumped to 5-50 from 30 overs.

After the interval Allsopp gathered a return from Scott Jamieson and threw down the stumps to effect a spectacular run out. When Steve Harris dived full length to snare the catch of the season at point from the bowling of Wong victory was nigh. Allsopp completed a most impressive display with a smart catch when standing over the stumps to paceman Wong then Tim Anderson rattled the stumps to claim another Panther wicket.

The end came when the last Penrith batsman was trapped L.B.W. by Wong and the Panthers had plummeted to be all out for a paltry 70 and the Bulldogs were home. Cale Wong finished with the superb figures of 4 -13 from 11 aggressive overs whilst Thackray, Bright, Dugmore, Anderson and Polson gave great support in a fine allround bowling effort with one wicket apiece.

The exuberant sounds of the mighty Bulldogs song reverberated around the ground and then began the lengthy celebrations. Peter Dugmore received the man of the match award for his sterling performance especially his great effort with the bat to total more than the whole Penrith team!!!

However Ian Gill was especially pleased that as throughout the series every Bulldog player made a substantial contribution to the win in the final whether it was with the bat or with the ball or in the field. Truly a great team effort. Congratulations lads and well done again to Ian Gill and of course Noel and Ada Trevena and all the parents for their spirited support throughout the series.