Sydney Grade: Bankstown on track for title

The Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs kept their premiership aspirations alive with a convincing display in the drawn playoff last weekend. Bankstown will now progress to the semi final and take on Balmain at Bankstown Oval next Saturday and Sunday at 10.30 a.m.

This is the seventh season in succession that the first grade side has made the semis and they certainly are a great credit to the district. Hopefully they will have the Belvidere Cup to show to Bulldog supremo Steve Waugh and his majestic brother Mark when they return from their successful tour of New Zealand.

The 'Dogs quest for victory was thwarted by a savage storm last Sunday which washed out play at 5.29 with Bankstown just one wicket short of victory as Northern Districts hung on grimly at 9-287. A glorious 100 from prolific rungetter Vaughan Williams spearheaded the 'Dogs to a massive total of 330 after Kevin Roberts had won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat in sweltering conditions.

Bankstown received an early setback with the dismissal of opener Anthony Smith but an enterprising 179 run partnership between Corey Richards and Williams got the'Dogs barking. Williams cut and drove in his usually aggressive manner and his nimble footwork enabled him to dispatch the spinners into the outfield with great authority. Despite the slow outfield he still amassed 16 boundaries and brought the crowd to its feet with a spectacular six. He occupied the crease for 226 vital minutes, facing 174 balls and it came as a surprise when he darted down the track to push the ball into a gap and was comprehensively stumped. With 891 runs under his belt the pugnacious opener is well and truly on track to chalk up 1000 runs for the season and looks destined to go on to representative honours. Along with fourth grade skipper David Drew, Vaughan was the proud recipient of the Players' Player Award for his great efforts on and off the field this season.

Following the departure of Williams, Corey Richards took over the role of aggressor with some classical cover drives and punishing shots through midwicket. The elegant righthander looked on track for yet another century but miscued a loose delivery and holed out for 86 after compiling 10 delightful boundaries.

Lefthand strokemaker Matt Betsey took advantage of the cauldron like conditions to plunder 77 runs from 99 balls in a typically hard hitting knock. He also looked set for triple figures but misjudged a square cut and was well caught at point after 125 minutes entertaining batting. Betsey has performed brilliantly with his adopted club notching 688 runs and taking 33 wickets. The success he has enjoyed enabled him to share the Bankstown Sports Club Player of the Year Award with third grade skipper Geoff Spotswood who also had a magnificent season.

Despite the oppressive conditions the Northern Districts bowlers toiled away honestly to capture the last seven Bulldog wickets for a mere 82 runs and give their side some hope of victory. These hopes appeared most forlorn as Nathan Bracken's hostile bowling saw the visitors slump to 6-101 but a lower order revival kept them in the game.

Bracken bowled magnificently in the trying conditions and thoroughly deserved his excellent figures of 4-47 from 21 overs. The tall lefthand paceman has had a most unfortunate, injury plagued, season but his welcome return to top form gives the Bulldogs a great boost in their premiership quest.

Wayne Holdsworth was his usual energetic self taking 2-69 from 16.4 overs whilst the ever reliable Matt Betsey chimed in with 2-62 from 15 overs. Kevin Roberts produced a spectacular leap to take a brilliant catch in the gully whilst Nathan Bracken's timely dismissal of N.S.W. 'keeper Brad Haddin, who had raced to 36 in just 31 minutes, proved a crucial turning point in the game.

It was disappointing that the rain washed out play at such a most interesting stage but there is no doubt the Bulldogs had the upper hand.

All Bankstown supporters are urged to come along this weekend and support the locals in their quest for another premiership. Enjoy the magnificent new facilities at the revamped Bankstown Oval as the cricketing Bulldogs take on the Tigers and remember admission is free!!!

The fourths bowed out of premiership contention after they were dismissed for 288 when chasing Manly's 354. Paceman Lincoln Tucker bowled superbly in the heatwave conditions to take 4-100 from 32 wholehearted overs maintaining good pace throughout. Michael Bright flighted his legspinners with plenty of guile to take 3-84 from his 33.1 overs whilst David Drew held onto two good catches behind the stumps and Peter Dugmore snared a hot one at first slip to keep the 'Dogs in the hunt. Jarrad Way compiled a solid 37 with the bat whilst lefthand strokemaker Peter Dugmore added a stylish 31. However the middle order collapsed dramatically and Bankstown slumped to 8-160. Some bold hitting from Andrew Sidie, Lincoln Tucker and Michael Bright kept the 'Dogs hopes alive. Tucker pounded a quickfire 50 from 51 balls with 5 boundaries and 3 massive sixes whilst Sidie plundered 7 boundaries and a six in his defiant 58. Lefthander Michael Bright was no less effective with a valuable 40 and once again confirmed he is an allrounder with great promise. The last two Bulldog wickets added 128 in a wonderful rearguard action but unfortunately it proved to be to no avail.

(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)