Sydney Women's Grade: Bankstown defeat Sutherland

Bankstown Sports scored an exciting first innings victory over Sutherland last weekend at Nick Kearns to keep their premiership aspirations alive.

Pace bowler Debbie Nelson broke the back of the Sutherland batting with 3-26 in a lively spell whilst Therese McGregor spun her legspinners effectively to capture 3-34 and the visitors were restricted to just 9-137. In reply the Bankstown innings started off disastrously at 2-14 and with prolific rungetter Michelle Goszko unable to bat with a nasty thumb injury things were looking bleak. However lefthander Karina Bird came to the rescue with a dashing 66.

The talented wicketkeeper mixed defiant defence with some aggressive pull shots to thwart Sutherland's quest for victory. Bird received great support from the versatile Debbie Nelson who chimed in with a useful 25 to get Sports home.

Sutherland struggled to 2-4 in the second innings with Nelson 1-0 and McGregor 1-2 before a nasty electrical storm came to their rescue and washed out play. Bankstown take on Balmain this weekend in the last round before the play offs but unfortunately will be without several of their topline players.