Solway needed partners in loss

However, while just two balls were bowled before the storms, it wasn’t until 5.30pm that the game started properly.
The speed of young tyros Brad Simpson and Liam Marshall on a now remarkably dry pitch and outfield, brought instant results – with Marshall getting a sharp caught behind to ‘keeper Ethan Deal in his first over before University had scored. This was followed soon after with Marshall (now 2/15) clean bowling the prized wicket of Larkin.
Simpson also applied the heat and clean bowled Danne and Sydney University finished Saturday after 17 overs under pressure at 3 for 41.
Early Sunday, the Bulldog quicks toiled to no avail. When wily spinner Daniel Burns came on, the runs stopped and the Dogs quickly took a wicket to stem the aggressive University batting. Mansukh Singh caught Litchfield at deep mid-wicket after running 30 metres from deep square leg – giving Burns the breakthrough.
Importantly, in tandem with fellow off-spinner Ryan Clark, the pair were strangling the batsmen with maidens. And then the rains came again.
After the rain break, the Sydney University batsmen took control and sped up their run rate significantly. Declaring at 5/292, the students left the Bulldogs needing 293 to win off 67 overs.
Nick Carruthers and Solway opened the batting and Carruthers started in his usual style – sending leather to and over the Memorial Oval picket fence with laser-like accuracy, until Carruthers fell to spin for 40. The very next ball sees Zeeshaan Ahmed caught and bowled for a duck.
The Dogs really struggled to get the scoreboard going when Brendan Smith (17) departed with the Dogs at 3/82. But, Solway and Singh showed some stoic resistance and grit to put on a decent partnership of 44 before Singh was caught behind for 28 and the Dogs 4 for 126. While Solway provided the backbone with a hard-fought and determined 72 runs (not out), he ran out of partners. The Dogs all out for 211 in the 64th over.
Next Saturday the Bankstown play University of NSW at David Philips South Oval.