Sydney Womens Grade: Bankstown Club News, January-February 2000

A dashing 144 not out from Australian skipper Belinda Clark enabled Balmain to cruise to victory over Bankstown Sports last Saturday. Clark's chanceless knock enabled Balmain to reach 7-249 in reply to Sports meagre 130. Lefthand medium pacer Melissa Quinn bowled a tidy line and length whilst versatile Therese McGregor who can open the bowling and then revert to legspin showed plenty of enthusiasm. Sally Pratt topscored for Sports with a defiant 40 in the ill fated first innings but received limited support. Bankstown batted with a lot more determination in the second innings and when a halt was called to play had reached 1-86 courtesy of a stylish 60 not out from Michelle Goszko.

The Bankstown Sports first grade side had a mixed weekend with a resounding win over Berala on Saturday and a disappointing defeat at the hands of Gordon on Sunday. Bankstown's 6-191 against Berala at Nick Kearns proved too many for Berala who could score only 7-142. Prolific rungetter Sally Pratt once again proved the mainstay of the Bankstown innings with a delightful 71 in difficult conditions. Versatile Karina Bird chimed in with a useful 29 whilst Australian rep Therese McGregor added 23 in good style. Amanda Owens who shows plenty of potential was in sparkling form with 24 and impressed all with her fine running between the wickets. Therese McGregor bowled superbly to take 2-15 from her ten containing overs whilst Michelle Goszko also gave nothing away with 2-22 from her eight overs. Heather Barling was also right on target with 2-25 from her probing ten overs to ensure a Bankstown victory. At Chatswood Oval on Sunday Bankstown batted first on a wet pitch and capitulated for just 121. Michelle Goszko was outstanding considering the conditions with a defiant 51 displaying all the talent which makes her so respected in cricketing circles. Despite some accurate bowling from Natalie Barber and well flighted legspinners from Amanda Owens Gordon had little difficulty cruising past the Bankstown total and clinching victory.