Fall short in thriller

BANKSTOWN Sports third grade cricket side fell agonisingly short in a close grand final against Northern Districts at Pratten Park last Saturday.
Captain Alex Kouventaris lost the toss and was asked to bowl – a decision he also would have made. However, the Bulldogs bowlers struggled to maintain pressure and consistency and the Northern Districts batsmen took control.
Despite the Dogs holding sway early with two early wickets to the pace of Jehan Bilimoria and Brady Polkinghorne for just 20 runs, the Bulldogs relaxed their grip and the opposition batsmen took advantage. Koby Layton took the bowling honours with three late wickets for 76 runs as Northern Districts reached 7 for 250 off their allotted 50 overs.
In reply, Bankstown’s young guns started in similar vein losing both openers for 33 after some stylish drives by Modacer Momandi and Johann Perera.
Then Ryan Freeman stepped up and showed genuine future potential as a quality number three batsman, playing some beautiful drives along the smooth Pratten Park outfield as well as some lofty hits over the fence.
Freeman showed patience and class as he worked his way past 50 and beyond. Along with captain Kouventaris (27), the pair started to swing the momentum in favour of the Bulldogs when Freeman was adjudged LBW when on 80 runs and a well-deserved century was missed.
Nevertheless, at 5 for 159, Bankstown was still in with a real chance.
Unfortunately, scoreboard pressure meant batsmen took risks and too many wickets fell cheaply as they searched for runs to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The Bulldogs lost their last three wickets for only 3 runs and were all out in the 45th over for 198.