In the 1st Grade match, the Bulldogs batted first and after losing opener Nick Carruthers for five, it was the redoubtable Mitch Brown who put the visitors on the front foot with a scintillating innings of 76 off 39 balls with a strike rate of 194.
Brown received great support from Daniel Solway with 47 off 46 balls as the Dogs’ posted 9/164. The defending Premiers responded in style and at 3/118 looked to be in the box seat to take the points.
However, 21-year-old spin twins Ben Taylor (3/36) and Ben Le Bas (3/20) had other ideas and showed they will be a force to reckon with in all formats of the game this season as Penrith fell just short with 8/161.
The Peter Dignam-led PG side recorded a comprehensive victory in its T20 match. The home side returned a solid 4/155 with speedster Brad Simpson again in fine form for the Bulldogs taking 2/17 from his four overs.
The T20 format is relentless in its intensity and after losing Mansukh Singh for just four runs, the Bulldogs couldn’t afford any further slip ups. Skipper Dignam and Zeeshaan Ahmed proved equal to the challenge with Dignam scoring 64 (40 balls, S/R 160.00) and Ahmed 60 not out (48 balls, S/R 125.00).
Cam Middleton produced a cameo innings of 20 not out (16 balls) as the Bulldogs took the points with 2/160 off 18 overs.
‘Dogs bat way to outstanding wins
THE Bankstown 1st Grade and Poidevin Gray Shield Under 21 sides headed to Howell Oval for a T20 Double Header on Sunday, October 13.
