In a welcome return to the season, Bankstown Memorial and Graeme Thomas Ovals were presented in magnificent condition thanks to curator Nick Mamolis.
In first game against Manly, captain Daniel Solway won the toss and elected to field first.
Ryan Felsch struck early and had both seasoned Manly openers back in the sheds for just a few runs, with one a beautiful clean-bowled – and was the pick of the Dogs’ bowlers with 2/26.
Wickets were spread among all the other bowlers and Manly completed their innings 6 down for 124 after their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 125 for victory, Ryan Felsch wanted the game over quickly and took on the star-studded Manly attack, belting 20 runs off just 11 balls to get the Dogs barking. But it took the level-head of captain Solway (20) with Niran Wijewardene (33) to steady the Bulldog chase and provide a platform for victory.
The Bulldogs chased down the Manly total with more than an over to spare at 5 for 126 and clinched their first win of the season.
In the second game against Northern Districts, Bankstown lost the toss and the visitors elected to bat.
It didn’t take long for Liam Marshall to strike with a great forward-diving catch to speedster Brad Simpson at cover. Then he put on a display of speed, line and length to simply decimate the batsmen. With the incredible figures of 6 for 22, which included a hat-trick, Marshall tore apart the Northern Districts’ innings.
Northern District reached a defendable total of 133.
In reply, the Bulldogs’ opener Ryan Felsch (46) took to the bowlers with skill and tremendous power and was unlucky not to reach 50. Once again, captain Solway (39no) and Ethan Deal (20no) got the Dogs over the line. They won in the final over on 5 for 134.
