The Bulldogs needed to restrict Fairfield-Liverpool’s ability to score runs as they only needed 59 runs for first innings victory with six wickets in hand.
In what may have seemed like a lost cause, Bankstown did their best to ensure the Lions fought for every run. George Balderson was especially economical and troubled the batsmen with his probing medium pace and was the pick of the bowlers.
With three wickets for just 19 runs off 22 overs (including 12 maidens), Balderson became the thorn in the Lions’ foot.
He was well supported by Ryan Felsch with three for 46, but the task was just too difficult to prevent an eventual Lions’ victory as they chased down the modest Dogs’ total, declaring at 8 for 170 to take first innings points.
