Hawkesbury had first use of the excellent Nick Mamolis’ prepared Memorial Oval wicket and compiled a respectable 7/186 from the allotted 50 overs.
Bulldogs pace duo Liam Marshall (1/60 of 10 overs) and Brad Simpson (0/27 off 10 overs) kept a tight rein on the Hawks top order but it was spin twins Daniel Burns and Ryan Clark who did the most damage, with Burns snaring the excellent return of 3/24 off 10 overs and Clark 2/32 off his allotted 10 over spell.
Openers Nick Carruthers and Daniel Solway could not repeat their heroics from last week with Carruthers out for 25 off 14 balls and Solway 17 off 22 balls, to leave the locals at 2/69.
However, the keen local crowd needed not worry as two of the club’s talented youngsters showed their wares.
Zeeshaan Ahmed scored 79no off 75 balls and Mansukh Singh was 60no off 49 balls as the home side reached 2/191 off just 26.2 overs.
Having represented NSW at Under 19 level, Ahmed continues to push his claim for higher honours, while Singh has been serving his apprenticeship in the Second Grade side in recent years and is building on that experience now he’s cemented a regular spot in the top grade.
Next Saturday the Bulldogs play North Sydney at North Sydney Oval and with both sides equal on the competition ladder, the match will be of great significance as several sides jostle for a place in the final six qualifying series.
