THE Bankstown Sports Bulldogs are struggling in the first-grade clash against the Fairfield Lions at Rosedale on Saturday in Premier Grade Cricket.
The top order of the Doggies which has batted so well all season, capitulated with not so much of a whimper.
Zeeshaan Ahmed, Daniel Solway and Nick Carruthers all scored the dreaded duck as the Lions roared their ascendancy. Mitchell Hinds halted the wickets’ flow with a defiant 28. However middle order resistance with Daniel Nicotra and allrounder Ben Taylor temporarily silenced the Lions’ roar.
Wicketkeeper Matt Simpson was again among the runs with 26 and is enjoying a fine season. Liam Marshall added 17 and it was a useful knock indeed, while fellow paceman Brad Simpson was left 12 not out.
But overall, it was a disappointing effort to finish with 184. The Lions finished with 0-35.
The Fourths struggled with 131 at Kelso Park North. Manoj Weerasingham was in good touch and held defiant while others capitulated. His 42 was a stylish knock with concentration and application the hallmark, as Max Clissold scored a fighting 20 late in the innings. The Bankstown Bulldogs fought back with 2-4 to leave the match evenly poised. A couple of early wickets next week will make things very interesting indeed.
Second, Third and Fifth Grade matches were all washed out and will be played in one-day formats next Saturday. The Poidevin Gray Shield semi-final on Sunday was also washed out. Unfortunately the Bulldogs were in fourth place, so won’t progress to the Thunder Conference Final.
