BDCC Annual Report 2023-24

BANKSTOWN DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB INCORPORATED SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

2ND GRADE PREMIERS

BANKSTOWN DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB INCORPORATED

OFFICE BEARERS

Patrons

John Murray OAM

Daryl Melham AM

President

Reza Bilimoria

Senior Vice President

Linsey Roworth

Life Members

J H Fitzpatrick OAM (dec.), H Toohey (dec.), J L Lewis (dec.), S F Boddy (dec.), M Lilienthal OAM (dec.), L Theobald (dec.), J Theobald, N Murray (dec.), A Taylor (dec.), R Amson (dec.), A Amson (dec.), B Urry (dec.), Mrs M Boddy (dec.), W Silas (dec.), D Bourne (dec.), J Bull, I Gorman (dec.), L Pascoe, MC Stephenson, J Dunn, R J (Bob) Bower (dec.), K Ferris, K Scully, J Scully (dec.), G Crowfoot, M Klumpp OAM, S Small, B Freedman OAM, E Dignam, D Freedman, WHoldsworth, S Waugh AM, M Waugh OAM, I Gill, M Grant PSM, S Thompson, G Spotswood, M Dignam, R Freedman (dec.), D Bull, D Magee, S Grant, K Hall, L Roworth, P Kelly, D Clifton, A Bird, J Bourne, G Price.

Honorary Secretary

M H Klumpp OAM

Assistant Secretary

B Freedman OAM

Treasurer

M Smith-Grant

Delegate to the New South Wales Cricket Association

B Freedman OAM

Delegates to the Sydney Cricket Association

B Freedman OAM and R Bilimoria

Management Committee

Reza Bilimoria, Scott Grant, Meegan Smith-Grant, Linsey Roworth, Mark Grant PSM, Martin Klumpp OAM, Eris Dignam, Brian Freedman OAM, David Clifton, Samantha Balnave (BSWCC), Phil Kelly, Geoff Price, Tushaar Garg, Iain Ridley, Chris Ridley, Jehan Bilimoria, Troy Freeman, Mark Eschbank (Blind Cricket NSW)

Cricket Operations Committee

M Grant PSM, P Kelly, G Crowfoot, L Roworth, C Ridley, I Ridley, J Bilimoria Selection Committee

J Bilimoria (Chair) D Solway, M Hinds, Ethan Prideaux

/Jake Cormack, T. Croft.

Publicity Officer

D Clifton

Webmaster

D Clifton

Social media

J Bilimoria, N Wijewardene, M Klumpp, D Clifton.

Honorary Solicitor

K J Scully (Finn Roche Lawyers)

Auditors

Bentleys NSW Audit Pty Ltd

SUCCESSFUL CLUBS

Club Championship

Manly Warringah DCC

Belvidere Cup [First Grade]

St George DCC

Albert Cup [Second Grade]

Bankstown DCC

Mitchell Cup [Third Grade]

Sydney University CC

Reid Cup [Fourth Grade]

Manly Warringah DCC

David Sherwood Cup

[Fifth Grade]

Manly Warringah DCC

U21 Poidevin-Gray Shield

UTS North Sydney CC

U16 AW Green Shield

Manly Warringah DCC

Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup

Randwick Petersham CC

First Grade Limited Overs Cup

Northern District CC

NSW PREMIER CRICKET

MEN’S INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Booth-Saunders Spirit of Cricket Award

Sydney University CC

Bob Simpson Award for Coach of the Year

Roy Vumbaca - Manly Warringah DCC

Ground of the Year 1st Place

O ld Kings Oval - Parramatta DCC

Ground of the Year 2nd Place

Rosedale O val - Fairfield-

Liverpool CC

Ground of the Year 3rd Place

Raby Oval No.1Campbelltown Camden DCC

Lower Grades Ground of the Year

Tunks Park - UTS North

Sydney CC

1st Grade Captain of the Year

Tym Crawford - Gordon DCC

2nd Grade Captain of the Year Andrew Jamieson - Manly Warringah DCC

3rd Grade Captain of the Year Liam Whitaker - UTS

North Sydney CC

4th Grade Captain of the Year Stephen Wark - St George DCC

5th Grade Captain of the Year Simon WaddingtonManly Warringah DCC

AW Green Shield Player of the Year Blake NoorbergenParramatta DCC

PREMIERSHIP TEAMS

Second Grade Premiers 2023-2024

Twenty20 Kingsgrove Sports Cup Winners2020-2021

Club Championship Winners 2019-2020

Second Grade Premiers 2019-2020

First Grade Premiers - Belvidere Cup2015-2016

First Grade Premiers - Limited Overs2015-2016

First Grade Premiers - Limited Overs2014-2015

AW Green Shield Premiers and State Champions 2014-2015

AW Green Shield Premiers and State Champions 2013-2014

Poidevin-Gray Premiers 2013-2014

AW Green Shield Premiers2010–2011

AW Green Shield Premiers2009–2010

Poidevin Gray Premiers 2008-2009

First Grade Premiers - Belvidere Cup2006-2007

First Grade Premiers - Limited Overs2006-2007

Club Champions 2003–2004

AW Green Shield Premiers2003–2004

AW Green Shield Premiers2002–2003

First Grade Premiers 1999–2000

AW Green Shield Premiers1999–2000

AW Green Shield Premiers1998–1999

Second Grade Premiers 1997–1998

Foster’s Light Ice Cup Premiers1997–1998

Diamond Draft Cup - Limited Overs1995–1996

First Grade Premiers 1994–1995

First Grade Premiers 1993–1994

AW Green Shield Premiers1990–1991

Third Grade Premiers 1989–1990

Poidevin Gray Premiers 1989–1990

AW Green Shield Premiers1988–1989

Club Championship Winners 1987–1988

First Grade Premiers 1987–1988

AW Green Shield Premiers1982–1983

Third Grade Premiers 1978–1979

Fifth Grade Premiers 1976–1977

Second Grade Premiers 1974–1975

Fourth Grade Premiers 1971–1972

AW Green Shield (Joint Premiers)1969–1970

Club Championship Winners 1966–1967

Third Grade Premiers 1966–1967

Shires ‘C’ Division Premiers1966–1967

AW Green Shield 1965–1966

AW Green Shield 1964–1965

AW Green Shield 1962–1963

Second Grade Premiers 1961–1962

Fourth Grade Premiers 1961–1962

Second Grade Premiers 1960–1961

Poidevin Gray Premiers 1960–1961

Club Championship Winners 1958–1959

First Grade Premiers 1958–1959

Second Grade Premiers 1957–1958

Poidevin Gray Premiers 1953–1954

Third Grade Premiers 1952–1953

SERVICE ROLL

1951-1955 H Toohey J H Fitzpatrick S Swane

1955-1956 R Sloane (resigned 8/12/55) J L Lewis (elected 13/12/55) A C McKeon (resigned 6/12/55) S F Boddy (elected 9/12/55) N W Wright

1956-1961 J L Lewis S F Boddy N W Wright

1961-1970 J L Lewis S F Boddy N L Murray

1970-1972 J L Lewis S F Boddy D P Bourne

1972-1973 J L Lewis T T Radanovic D P Bourne

1973-1975 S F Boddy F G Cicutto D P Bourne

1975-1977 S F Boddy J F Mackinnon D P Bourne

1977-1979 S F Boddy R J Bower D P Bourne

1979-1982 J Bull R J Bower D P Bourne

1982-1986B F Freedman R J Bower D P Bourne

1986-1989B F Freedman M H Klumpp D P Bourne

1989-2006B F Freedman M H Klumpp E Dignam

2006-2017 S A Grant M H Klumpp E Dignam

2017-2020 S A Grant M H Klumpp M Smith-Grant (E & M Dignam Assnt.)

2020-2021 S A Grant M H Klumpp M Smith-Grant

2021-2024 R Bilimoria M H Klumpp M Smith-Grant

1ST GRADE SCORERS

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

It is with great pleasure that I present the annual report for the Bankstown Cricket Club for the year 2023-2024 – what an outstanding year for the club in terms of success both on and off the field.

Key highlights for 2023-24 were:

Mitch Hind’s 2nd Grade team winning the Albert Cup Premiership Trophy;

Chris Stefanish won the Bankstown Sports Club ‘Player of the Year Award’ for his outstanding season; Daniel Solway becoming Bankstown District Cricket Club’s highest run-scorer in all grades; and Jehan Bilimoria’s 4th Grade side reaching the qualifying-finals.

There were so many other notable achievements throughout the season, and while I do not specifically mention each one of them, their contributions have been invaluable. Without the commitment, dedication, and hard work of each player, we would not have achieved what we did for the 2023-2024 season.

The unveiling of the new dressing rooms at Bankstown Oval marks a significant stride

in meeting the evolving needs of players and officials alike. With state-of-the-art amenities and spacious interiors, the facilities cater to the demands of modern cricket, offering comfort and functionality in equal measure. Bankstown Cricket Oval (Memorial Oval) has emerged as a beacon among suburban grounds in NSW, elevated by these enhancements. The addition of these new facilities not only improves the overall experience for players but also underscores Bankstown Oval’s

reputation as a premier venue for cricket. Moreover, the upcoming installation of broadcast-quality lighting in September 2024 further solidifies its position as a top-tier sporting destination, promising exceptional visibility and ambience for both players and spectators. With these developments, Bankstown Cricket Ground stands poised to offer unparalleled excellence in cricketing infrastructure, setting a new standard for suburban venues across the state.

Reza Bilimoria

A

special thank you to:

Canterbury Bankstown City Council

Without the support of the Council, we would not be able to play cricket. We are fortunate to have some of the best suburban grounds in Sydney, the envy of many other Clubs. A special mention to Nick Mamolis, the groundskeeper to Bankstown/ Graeme Thomas Ovals, who ensured that no matter what the weather conditions, we played cricket and played on pitches of a first-class standard.

Bankstown Sports Club

The sponsorship support provided by Bankstown Sports Club to our Cricket Club is truly invaluable. It’s a partnership that many sporting clubs envy, both professional and amateur, as we align closely on shared values with a focus on placing members and players at the heart of all our endeavours. We extend our deepest gratitude to Bankstown Sports Club for their generous support, which has made a significant impact on our club. Their contributions have empowered us to pursue our mission more effectively, fostering the development of our players and coaching staff. We appreciate their unwavering commitment to giving back to

the community and supporting local clubs like ours. Their generosity has truly made a difference, and we eagerly anticipate continuing our partnership with Bankstown Sports Club in the future. Thank you, Bankstown Sports Club, for your steadfast support and dedication to making a positive impact in our community.

Crash Claim

I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Crash Claim for their generous financial support in providing a car for our overseas player. We are thrilled to have the support of such a reputable company, and we cannot thank them enough for their kindness and generosity. Their support allowed us to provide our overseas player with the means to travel to games and training, enabling him to perform at his best for our 1st Grade team. We are truly grateful for their contribution, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Crash Claim in the future. Once again, thank you for your generosity and support of our cricket club.

Our committee

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Committee

for their tireless dedication and remarkable efforts throughout the 2023/2024 season. The unwavering commitment, vision, and countless hours invested by the Committee members, especially Marty Klumpp, Brian Freedman, Geoff Price, Troy Freemen, Jehan Bilimoria, Meegan Smith-Grant, Dave Clifton and Margaret and Eric Dignam and others, have played an integral role in shaping our club’s success and fostering a vibrant cricketing community. The Committee’s leadership, decision-making, and organisational skills have ensured that our club continues to thrive, providing exceptional opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. From managing finances and facilities to coordinating fixtures, events, and volunteer activities, the Committee has consistently gone above and beyond to create a supportive and inclusive environment for our members. Your passion for the game of cricket and commitment to the growth of Bankstown District Cricket Club are truly commendable.

Volunteers Award

Volunteers play a vital role in the success and operation of our Club. Their unwavering dedication

and selfless commitment contribute significantly to creating a vibrant and inclusive cricketing community. Whether it’s managing the club’s administrative tasks, maintaining the grounds, organising fixtures and events, looking after the canteen or scoring for one of the Grade teams, our volunteers serve as the backbone of our club. Their passion for the game and tireless efforts have ensured that every player, from home and away teams, has access to excellent facilities and opportunities to thrive. The Bankstown District Cricket Club owes its achievements and sense of camaraderie to the invaluable contributions made by its dedicated volunteers, who continue to shape the club’s legacy and inspire future generations of cricket enthusiasts.

In recognition of this, the ‘Margaret and Eris Dignam Volunteers Award for the volunteer of the year has been awarded to Jen Campbell for her commitment to scoring, organising and ‘looking after’ our victorious 2nd Grade team.

Coaches Award

The Gary Crowfoot Coach’s Award holds a special place

in the realm of recognition of excellence. It serves as a testament to the dedication, skill, and outstanding effort displayed by a player throughout the season, both on and off the field. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon an individual who not only excels in their performance but also demonstrates exceptional sportsmanship, leadership, and commitment to their team.

The Coach’s Award represents more than just cricketing prowess; it encompasses the values and qualities that make a well-rounded and exemplary cricketer. It recognises the individual’s ability to inspire and motivate others, their resilience in the face of challenges, and their unwavering determination to improve and succeed.

The Gary Crowfoot Coach’s Award was awarded to Tom Cordingley for his excellence, commitment and dedication on and off the field.

Financial viability

Financially, we have achieved our goals for the year, with the club operating within its budget and generating revenue through sponsorships and events. This has allowed us to invest in our facilities, equipment and coaching staff, and we are

confident that these investments will pay dividends in the years to come.

Looking ahead, we have set some ambitious targets for the upcoming year. Our main goals include continuing to improve our on-field performance, developing our players, and expanding our sponsorship base. We also plan to host more social and community events and to engage with our supporters and past players more proactively.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our members, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters for their tireless efforts and dedication throughout the year. Your contributions have been invaluable to our success, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.

In conclusion, I am proud to report that the Bankstown District Cricket Club is in a strong position both on and off the field. We have had a great season with a 2nd Grade premiership under our belts. This has now established a platform for further success in the seasons to come.

Sincerely,

Reza Bilimoria.

President

Get your game face on

ENJOY HAPPY HOUR

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HONORARY SECRETARY’S REPORT

I have the pleasure of presenting the Club’s 73rd Annual Report.

Congratulations to all Premiership-winning clubs; special mention to Manly Warringah on their dual Club Championships (Men’s/Women’s) plus the Reid Cup (Fourth Grade) and David Sherwood (Fifth Grade) Premierships. Undoubtedly the benchmark club, on and off the field.

To Mitch Hinds and his plucky group, sincere congratulations on winning the Albert Cup (Second Grade). We last won this Premiership in 2019/20 under Tony Clark’s leadership. In his acceptance speech at the Premier’s Dinner, Mitch graciously reflected on the influence Tony Clark has had on this side. I wholeheartedly agree that Tony instilled many of the young players in the year team with the necessary drive and desire resulting in this wonderful victory. If Tony is a terrific teacher, then Mitch is an exemplary student – his leadership of this group, on and off the field, is the equal of any effort I’ve seen in my (very long) time at the Club. We are very lucky to have a person of Mitch’s calibre at our Club.

Your Management Committee continues to work hard to deliver the Memorial Oval Masterplan Stage 1 commitments. The commissioning of the new Waugh Pavilion dressing rooms was an important milestone. As I write, CB City appears to be making solid progress on delivering our Class 11-level stadium lights this year. This circa $1.7m investment is a major project. The logistics of just getting enough power onto the site to supply the lights is a major undertaking involving statutory bodies, energy providers, and a range of subcontractors. Once the lighting project is finalised we will know how much money is

left in the budget to deliver a new kiosk and player’s dining area.

My personal thanks to Corey Richards for his role as Club Coach for the past three seasons. Corey’s tenure included the difficult COVID period, and I think he handled that challenge with great enthusiasm and professionalism, getting the club back and functioning quickly and effectively following lockdowns. Corey is very disappointed that 1st Grade didn’t achieve his personal goals or the club’s, but I believe there is a very positive legacy from his contribution that will flow through in the coming years. Last season we won the Albert Cup, Fourth Grade played

round 1 of the qualifying finals, and our Fifth Grade side played with a maturity that belied their young age profile. Training numbers have been very solid, and we have a committed group of young players who share a strong camaraderie on and off the field. Plenty of green shoots that will trace back to Corey’s stewardship. Corey plans to have a break from coaching, but I have no doubt he will be back contributing at the representative level or in the Premier Grade system in years to come.

It would take many pages to list the people who help with the big and small tasks that keep the club afloat. You know who you are; please be assured

Marty Klumpp

the Committee and Players are very appreciative of your efforts. While every contribution is valued, I would like to say a special “thank you” to the following people:

Meegan Smith-Grant is indefatigable. She gives up almost every Saturday and a handful of Sundays so we can provide a canteen service to players, match officials, and supporters. Meegan always stays calm, and even when match circumstances mean that afternoon tea is brought forward 20 minutes or put back 30 minutes, she makes sure all food is presented piping hot or cold and in bountiful proportions! Meegan also acts as Club Treasurer and works closely with our Auditor to ensure our financial statements are presented professionally and on time. Scott Grant continues to help on the Management Committee and with facilities projects. In November, Scott prepared a Grant submission to the NSW Government for the supply of a new Gator utility vehicle for use at Memorial and GT Ovals.

Jehan Bilimoria is our hardworking Chairman of Selectors, Team Captain, occasional social media guru, AWG Coach, and event organiser. He commits a significant amount of time to support the club’s operations and deserves the highest praise and thanks for his outstanding efforts.

David Clifton

DC continued to do our weekly media reports via The Canterbury Bankstown TORCH. This newspaper is 101 years old and a Bankstown institution. Despite the proliferation of social media, our coverage in The TORCH remains vital as it is a respected and trusted voice for many community leaders. David continued his long-term efforts managing our website, producing our annual report, and snapping amazing photos that will provide lasting memories for our players and supporters. David’s management of the RSAC/BDCC All Ability program is also greatly appreciated; this program helps the club demonstrate our commitment to all forms of the sport.

Darren McLean

Darren has extended his involvement in the RSAC/ BDCC All-Ability program and was appointed coach of the NSW Intellectual Disability team at the National Cricket Inclusion Championship in Brisbane in January 2024. Darren’s efforts reflect very positively on our Club and we are grateful to have him in the Bulldogs kennel.

Brian Freedman

Forty-four years of commitment to this club haven’t diminished Brian’s enthusiasm or impact on every aspect of our operation— well, except social media; he draws the line there! Every match day last season, Brian

spent an extraordinary amount of time handling operational matters at Memorial Oval and GT Oval. Fortunately, Linsey Roworth returned to Sydney in the latter part of the season from Casino in northern NSW, where he and Gayle were assisting with caring for Gayle’s parents, and that certainly helped ease the pressure on Brian. Brian continues to provide amazing support for the Uganda Equipment Project. When he started this project 20 years ago, Brian commented that he’d “be a very happy man if Uganda could one day qualify for the World Cup” – in 2024, his wish will come true with Uganda qualifying for the T20 World Cup.

Geoff Price

Another season of inspiring support from Pricey. The role of first-grade scorer is a huge commitment on its own, but on top of this, Geoff also acts as Training Coordinator two afternoons a week and spends a day every fortnight helping Brian with the Uganda project and sorting off jobs around Memorial Oval. Michelle’s support can’t be underestimated either and she’s always willing to help out in the canteen when Meegan needs a break.

Kylie and Troy Kylee Freeman

Always willing to step up and help, whether it’s canteen duties, setting up Frogbox livestreaming, fixing a broken tap, etc. No task is too big or too small.

Margaret and Eris Dignam Margaret provided lots of help in the canteen, and it was great to have Eris at the ground supporting the players, who all appreciated having him around. Second-grade scorer Jennifer Campbell won the Eris and Margaret Dignam ‘Volunteer of the Year Award, and Margaret and Eris were thrilled with the Committee’s choice.

Linsey Roworth, Ray Richards, and Ken Hall Again, this trio of enthusiastic workers provided wonderful offfield support, taking care of the Umpires and players’ every need before, during, and after play.

Mark Eschbank NSW Blind Cricket President, again made himself available to help collect and pack Ugandan donations and assist in the canteen on big match days. Also provided plenty of ‘heavy lifting’ support when the next new dressing rooms were being set up.

Glenn Gordingly Glenn (supported by Kirstie) does a fantastic job running the Bankstown Sports Junior Club, the largest in the Bankstown Association. Last season, Glenn also ran the Chappelow Cup and U17 Sixers League sides. Glenn is passionate about providing opportunities for young players to get experience on turf to give them the best chance to make it into the premier-grade pathway. The fact that he was willing to add this task to an already busy cricket workload speaks volumes for his

commitment to cricket in this district.

Anthony Campbell and Gamini Perera, thank you for your creative photography of the on-field action and our volunteers. Phil Bean, thank you for snapping the AWG lads; your help grabbing these memories is much appreciated.

SCORERS

Our fabulous scoring brigade was led by Geoff Price, Jennifer Campbell (who is also 1st Grade Scorer for the Women’s Club) and Gamini Perera. Mick Snell also was a great help in 5th Grade and AWG. Many others volunteered for scoring duties, and these contributions will be mentioned in each grade captain’s or team manager’s report. A special thank-you also to Rod and Bobo Budge for supplying lunch for players and officials at our home AWG matches.

SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS

Bankstown Sports Club continues to provide amazing administrative and financial support for our operations. In 2022/23 BSC’s commitment of $1.5m enabled us to partner with other groups to raise $3.2m in funding for the Memorial Oval Stage 1 Masterplan development. I’m pleased to report that the first component of that project was completed in early December 2024 when we took possession

of our new dressing rooms. The rooms are bigger and much better equipped and support female and male players and officials and also people requiring accessibility features. The second component of the Stage 1 Masterplan is the installation of stadium lighting at Memorial Oval. This lighting system will meet the Cricket Australia Class 11 standard, allowing us to play first-class and NSW Premier Grade cricket under lights. CB City is well advanced in developing the necessary infrastructure to upgrade the substation at the oval, and we hope the lights will be operational early in season 2024/25.

We thank Chairman John Murray OAM, CEO Michael Clancy, CFO Rod Dearsley, and the entire management team for their professional support. BSC continues to support local charities and its 42 sporting clubs. We are very grateful for the guidance provided by Sport and Community Partnerships Manager Michael Hanratty, Sports Advisor Matt Starr and Community and Welfare Advisor Isabella Cini.

APPRECIATIONS

Patrons Daryl Melham AM and John Murray OAM

Mayor Bilal El Hayek We were lucky to have Jehan Bilimoria and Tushaar Garg attend the Mayor’s Sleepout fundraiser at Bankstown Airport and are developing a very

positive relationship with Bilal.

Jason Clare MP, Member for Blaxland, always supports the Club whenever he can. This year, Jason kindly supported our application for a grant to upgrade a club laptop computer for use by volunteers. Many thanks also to Jason’s righthand man, Chris Zogopoulos, for your ongoing advice and support.

Jihad Dib MP, Member for Bankstown. Jihad is a big fan of the Sydney Thunder, and we hope to make him a big fan of the Bulldogs Premier Cricket Club, too! Jihad and his team graciously invited us to submit a grant application to the NSW Government for a new Gator golfcart-style utility vehicle for volunteers to use at Memorial Oval and GT Oval.

President Daryl Melham and the Directors of Revesby Workers’ Club; thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to working together to do good things for our community.

Matthew Stewart General Manager Canterbury Bankstown City Council

Graeme Beattie, Community Services Director, CB City for advice on operational matters and future planning

Long-time CB City collaborators Andrew Smithwick (Manager of the

City Plan) and Rachel Symons (Forward Works Planning Coordinator) always provide excellent advice and support.

Thank you to Jessica Atoui (Recreation and Open Space Planner, Masterplan Project), Margaret Southwell (Masterplan Project), Ryan Borg (Recreation and Sports Officer), Kate Halaska (Recreation and Sports Officer), Madison Mooney (Park Bookings), and all support staff at CB City for your ongoing guidance and support. It was also a nice ‘blast from the past’; when Shaun Naidoo recently became involved with the Memorial Oval Stadium Lighting project. Shaun was a huge help when the Indoor centre and Hall of Fame were built 20 years ago and it’s always a pleasure to deal with him.

Nathan Watson, Craig Beveridge and Brett Luth for guidance on facilities planning and management.

CB City electrician Jack Tasker for maintaining the digital screen at Memorial Oval. Your prompt and courteous support is always appreciated.

Cricket Umpires and Scorers operations headed by Darren Goodger, Troy Penman and Bede Sajowitz

Bankstown District Cricket Association. Sincere thanks to Senior President Bryden

Sharp, Junior President Andrew Sheehy, Secretary Dianne Ford, and all executive members. We are very keen to do more than just support the BDCA Representative Teams, and we hope to work with Andrew on extending the current relationship, especially with attracting more junior players and developing stronger clubs.

Chris Ridley and Gary Crowfoot for their efforts as key members of Corey Richard’s coaching team.

Gary Crowfoot for your support of our Poidevin-Gray Shield team.

Jehan Bilimoria and Ben Le Bas our AW Green Shield coaches.

Brett Collison, our AW Green Shield Manager. Samantha Balnave (nee Devlin), Virginia Errington, Roger Errington and Paul Stathis for your support of the Bankstown Sports Women’s Club.

Roy Formica, Premier Cricket Manager, CNSW. We wish Roy all the very best in his planned retirement and look forward to seeing him around the grounds in the coming years.

Graham Coulton and Lindsay Heaven from Blind Cricket NSW. Always a pleasure to work with you on the development of Blind Cricket in NSW.

UGANDA COMMUNITY PROJECT

BRIAN FREEDMAN

Uganda, a story that continues.

Exactly twenty years ago our then Club President Brian Freedman managed the Australian team at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh. After playing at various venues throughout the country, the team moved to Chittagong and found themselves staying at the same hotel as the team from Uganda.

The two teams got on very well together and when the Australian lads decided to support the Ugandans at the ground when playing their next match they were shocked to see how ill-equipped they were, especially when compared to themselves.

From subsequent discussions with their team management it was learnt they had less than 10,000 participants and growing the game was handicapped by the lack of equipment with the majority of their bats being “hand crafted”, similar what many kids had in Australia in the ‘40s and ‘50s when bats were shaped from fence palings.

When the club was made aware of this situation it was decided to do a collection and try to fill a container,

something that had never been tried previously. Every Grade and Shires club together with people like Harry Solomons from Kingsgrove Sports were contacted and slowly but surely – and after more than a year – the container was filled and shipped meaning our project was completed. Or so we thought.

There was much excitement in Uganda on receiving the container and the Uganda Cricket Association issued a press release detailing the story which was picked up by The Australian newspaper and the ABC. This resulted in numerous people contacting us to ask if we are still collecting. With this momentum it was decided to do a second container.

This time it was decided to throw the net wider. The ABC publicized a campaign requesting gear donations to be brought to the SCG during the New Year Test. A good but unworkable idea with many people informing us they had gear to donate but could not carry it to the SCG. We responded by offering to pick it up which proved to be a game changer.

From that time we have not been able to stop the collections and are currently working on filling container number 18. None of this could not have happened without the support of Bankstown Sports Club who have paid the freight costs of every shipment, an amount in excess of $200,000.

More importantly is what it has meant to Ugandan cricket. The under 10,000 participants in 2004 has risen currently to just under 70,000. The Uganda Cricket Association has won a number of ICC awards for the best development programs in Africa, both male and female and playing standards have continued to improve.

This improvement is about to be showcased to the cricket world with Uganda having won the right to represent Africa in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. This wonderful achievement is testament to the hard work and dedication of our friends at the Uganda Cricket Association but they continually tell us it could not have happened without our input.

We will follow their progress with pride.

“Anyone can make a difference.”

ALL ABILITIES CRICKET PROGRAM

We saw some very pleasing developments in our All Abilities inclusive cricket program this year with some new players joining and ‘old’ players returning.

As well, Darren McLean led the NSW ID Cricket team as coach, at the All Inclusive Cricket Nationals in January 2024 in Queensland and continues to do a brilliant job getting the best from his elite group - some of whom have now joined us for regular training.

We have plans this coming summer cricket season to field a 6th-grade side to give our better players the opportunity for more exposure to full match conditions and their pressures and also help further develop their myriad talents for when they progress to NSW or National level. Having access to such a world-class facility at Bankstown Oval only enhances the quality of training for the players. With four or five coaches at sessions, we can ensure specific skills are developed

- such as players batting with the bowling machine or going onto the oval and doing catching or ground fielding drills.

As always, our program relies on the support from Bankstown District Cricket Club, Bankstown-Canterbury Council, Bankstown Sports Club, the Primary Club and of course the volunteer coaches - who ensure all players both enjoy their cricket and improve their skills and truly are the backbone of our program.

Mark bowls to Jeremy

Simon batting, Gareth ‘keeping

Tim batting, Gareth ‘keeping

Amanda about to play a shot

Players’ warm-up stretching

Brianna bowling

Bruce feeding balls to Omkar and Joe

Matt bowling

Darren helping Simon pad up

Our volunteer coaches... Darren McLean, David Clifton, Bruce Andrews, Ian Russell.

DAVID CLIFTON AND DARREN MCLEAN

OBITUARY

WE OFFER OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO ALL MEMBERS WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES IN THE PAST YEAR

Brenda Bourne

The Club was greatly saddened in January 2024 at the passing of Brenda Bourne.

Brenda was the much-loved wife of Life Member and 1st Grade Cap #53 Dion and mother of Life

Brenda was always a great supporter of Dion’s efforts for the club, whether it was playing, mentoring, or administering. She was a doting mum to James but always ensured he kept a level head and understood

Brenda’s vibrant spirit was a constant presence in our club. She was a reliable hand in the canteen when we hosted first-class matches and the first to volunteer to help organise social events. And she could always be relied upon to set the party alight!

Clubs like ours would not exist without the support of people like Brenda. Through her involvement at the Club, Brenda became a great friend of Michelle Crowfoot, and this pair forged a wonderful relationship. Michelle was an absolute rock for Brenda through thick and thin. Her support of Brenda through her illness was a very practical demonstration of ‘living the Bulldog Spirit’.

CLUB RECORD – MOST RUNS SCORED IN ALL GRADES

It was announced at our End of Season Function that 1st Grade Captain Daniel Solway has set a new Club Record for the number of runs scored in all grades and also in first grade. This achievement sits alongside Daniel’s impressive resume of achievements as a junior playing in the Bankstown District Cricket Association and with the Bankstown District Premier Grade Club including:

- played club cricket for St. Christopher’s CC in the Bankstown District Cricket Association, starting at age 8.

- was selected for junior representative cricket every

season, starting with Under 10s. He captained every BDCA representative team from Under 10’s (Foster Shield) to U16’s (CS Watson Shield).

- played 3 seasons of AW Green Shield, including winning 2 premierships.

- he was first selected for BDCC in 5th grade as a 14-year-old.

Daniel has scored 24 centuries for BDCC.

He has won the Bankstown Sports Club ‘Player of the Year Award’ on three occasions.

He has captained 1st Grade for the past 5 seasons.

In the 2023/24 season, Daniel became the club’s all-time record holder for runs scored in all grades (10723) and also in first grade (8236).

Daniel assumes the mantle of highest run-scorer from club stalwart Geoff Spotswood. Spottie scored 10578 runs before retiring in the 2016/17 season. He had previously assumed the mantle from Mark Grant (10225) in the 2015/16 season.

FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITY ROUND 2023/24

The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs showed their support for Cricket NSW’s First Nations Community Round by participating in a Smoking Ceremony, Acknowledgement to Country and Barefoot Circle before the Round 6 match against Sutherland at Memorial Oval on Saturday 19 November 2023.

First Nations Community Round was in line with the 2023 National Reconciliation Week theme of being a voice for the work of generations past, the benefit of generations future, and a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

The ceremony was led by

Harry Whitting, a proud Yuin (South Coast NSW) Man.

Harry was joined by Bankstown’s 5th Grade Captain Tim Croft and his son (and 3rd grade opening bowler) Luca Croft. Tim has custodial ties to the Gurindji, Malgnin and Mudpurra peoples (Northern Territory). He also has AngloAustralian, Irish, German and Chinese heritage. His late Father was a member of the Stolen Generations and subsequently re-connected to his family and Gurindji community.

The Aboriginal groups of the entire Sydney region were part of the Australian southeast coast cultural group, and they are the

original people of Canterbury Bankstown. It is believed that the Darug and Eora people were the original inhabitants of the Bankstown and Canterbury area, for many thousands of years before European settlement. The Darug is the largest Aboriginal language group in the Canterbury Bankstown LGA.

The Barefoot Circle and Smoking Ceremony provided players from both teams the opportunity to take a moment to connect with Country and pay respects to the Traditional Owners of the Memorial Oval and Parklands area.

What does ‘COUNTRY’ and ‘CONNECT TO COUNTRY’ MEAN

The concept of ‘Country’ for First Nations Australians means many things- Aboriginal people share their knowledge to all that their identity and stories of belonging come from that connection. It looks after us/ them, and we in turn have responsibility to care for and look after it. In cricket we play on grounds on lands that belong to and have been cared for by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for thousands of years all over our Country. We acknowledge that and connect to the Country with our bare feet.

Note:

An Acknowledgement to Country pays respect to elders past and present, and recognises and celebrates the spiritual and ongoing connection to culture and Country land and waters for traditional custodians.

A Welcome to Country is a custom, or protocol, provided by a local elder which was and is still observed when welcoming visiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across their lands and is now extended to all Australians.

WATCH FOXTEL WITH US

CLUB GROUNDS AND FACILITIES

BDCC remains very grateful to CB City Council for providing high-quality facilities that are the envy of many other NSW Premier Grade Clubs.

We continue to have a highquality relationship with Head Curator Nick Mamolis. Nick is hardworking, affable, and highly professional. He takes the utmost pride in his work. Nick and the club were very disappointed when his high ranking in the ‘1st Grade Ground of the Year Award’ was lost due to a poor assessment for one round. This lower-thanaverage rating for one match was due to the fact a wicket had been re-used from the previous match. But that situation only occurred because Nick had agreed to allow Memorial Oval to be available as a neutral ground for the 1st Grade LO Final if required. We believe the assessment system should be reviewed to ensure such anomalies do not affect overall rankings. One method would be to not include (say) one or two high and low assessments so that abnormal events do not prejudice a ground’s overall ranking. We will continue to formally lobby NSW Premier

Cricket for a change to this system.

The Club took possession of the new dressing room facilities on the ground level of the Stephen and Mark Waugh Pavilion at Memorial Oval in early December 2023. These facilities represent a $820k investment as part of our $3.2m Memorial Oval Stage 1 Upgrade Project. These new female-friendly and all-abilitiesfriendly facilities are highly valued by all players and officials and are something the whole community can take pride in.

The Grahame Thomas Oval practice wickets were again of very high quality, and this only happened because of Nick’s professionalism and hard work. GT Oval was again presented in picture-perfect condition for matches every week—an amazing result considering it is not a secure venue and receives a huge amount of recreational usage every day of the week. This only happens because of Nick and his team’s hard work and the fact that the local community respects and looks after the venue. As local community members have often remarked, “This is our backyard, we take

pride in it, and we look after it”.

Mitch Gardner and supervisor Ralph Robinson again made Kelso Park North a terrific place to play. A new approach to managing the height of the outfield turf meant the ball ran further, which was reflected in generally higher match scores. Kelso Park North supported 3rd and 4th Grade Men’s, NSW Youth Championships and Chappelow Cup, so it was used almost every Saturday and Sunday during the season without any loss of quality. Thanks Mitch and Ralph, we really appreciate your support. The Club would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Senior Curator Nick Mamolis, and team members Mitch Gardner, Darryl Thatcher, Neville Rae, Dragan Stricevic and apprentice Ryan Hand. Their hard work and dedication have been instrumental in our success, and we value the friendly working relationship we’ve built over the years.

Special thanks also to senior managers Nathan Watson, Brett Luth and Craig Beveridge for their guidance and practical help.

BANKSTOWN SPORTS CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

HONOUR ROLL

1982-83 I McRae

1983-84 G Patterson P Kelly

1984-85 P Talbot

1985-86 R Bilimoria

1986-87 G Spotswood

1987-88 D Freedman

1988-89 P Talbot

1989-90 S Moss

1990-91 D Freedman

1991-92 S Thompson

1992-93 K Ferris

1993-94 K Roberts

1994-95 G Trevena

1995-96 DP Waugh

1996-97 D Magee S Deitz

1997-98 S Thompson

1998-99 S Thompson

1999-00 G Spotswood M Betsey

2000-01 G Roden

2001-02 M Bright

2002-03 P Moy P Maraziotis

2003-04 A Bird

2004-05 C Richards M Beaven

2005-06 D Freedman

2006-07 B Van Deinsen D Ettridge

2007-08 A Bird

2008-09 S Keen

2009-10 J Burke

2010-11 E Leten 2011-12 J Burke

2012-13 P Wells

2013-14 J Burke 2014-15 P Wells

2015-16 M Kelly 2016-17 M Kelly M Brown

2017-18 A Kouventaris 2018-19 D Solway 2019-20 N Carruthers 2020-21 B Taylor N W ijewardene 2021-22 D Solway 2022-23 D Solway

This year marked the 42nd year of this great competition. The winner is decided by each of the five grades awarding 3, 2 and 1 point(s) to the best contributors in each grade match where all grades play.

A batting bonus point can be earnt for scoring 50 with a further point for every 25 thereafter. Bowlers and wicketkeepers earn a bonus point for taking three wickets or dismissals with an additional point awarded for each further wicket and each team decides a fielding point for each match. After all rounds the placegetters were…

4th Place Zane Mitchell and Bailey Penna tied on 27 Points

Back to back top 5 finishes for Zane in his first 2 years of the club, led from the front with the ball in 2nd grade and earnt a well deserved 1st grade debut against Blacktown.

Leading pace bowler in 3rd grade, Bailey came of age this year to take a strong 30 wickets, the most by a 3rd grader in over 10 years, went from strength to strength as his confidence grew.

2nd Place Liam Marshall and Jake Cormack tied on 29 Points

Our 1st grade bowling leader, on his day one of the best pace bowlers in NSW, another strong season and higher honours hopefully await!

Returned to the club to help out in 4th grade, ended up scoring 327 @ 46 in 4s, and a ridiculous 300 @ 300 in 4 games of 3rd grade, but more importantly helped our young players understand what it takes to be a top class grade cricketer with his leadership on and off field.

THE $1,000 HOLE-IN-ONE CHALLENGE

THE NON-NEGOTIABLE TERMS & CONDITIONS:

1. Taking part is optional. Proof is Essential

2. Open to both Members and Social Players

3. How to Win

Select a trust-worthy partner to video your shot. The video must be a continuous forward facing stream to the hole – no cuts or blockages AT ANY POINT.

If you think you have a Hole-In-One, your partner who is filming your shot must not stop the filming but record your walk to the hole and film the ball in the hole.

4. You must immediately call the club (02) 9773-0628 and say “You would like verification for your Hole-In-One.”

5. We will then come to you and verify the time of the filming and the full video clip.

6. Sorry, low battery or other mechanical failures with your filming device is not our responsibility.

7. Social Golfers: Need to Tee Up from the Whites as a minimum.

POST YOUR VIDEO HERE

Don’t forget to tag Bankstown Golf and use

Open to all members and social golfers. Book your round, grab your club, start filming, and swing for the Ace! NO ENTRY FEE. SCAN FOR MORE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Bankstown Sports Club

WINNER on 32 points

Player of the Year 2023/2024

CHRIS STEFANISH

Chris stormed home to win the Bankstown Player of the year award on 32 points. Chris has been the best lower grade bowler in Sydney for the last decade, able to turn a game in a few moments, and land the ball on the same spot with unnerving accuracy. This year Chris took 45 wickets in 3s, 4s and 5s, averaging a ridiculous 13.82 and was the leading wicket taker for the club in all grades. Chris also went past 500 grade wickets between his time at Parramatta & Bankstown.

More importantly, Chris leads from the front, providing a brilliant example to any young pace bowler on how to take wickets, and perform week in week out.

1st grade

WINS

r2 v fairfield-liverpool

Solway 137

r7 v blacktown mounties

Bell 82, Ahmed 42, Marshall 35

Layton 6/11

r9 v UTS north sydney

Deal 111, Campbell 79*

Marshall 4/20, Layton 4/42

r14 v mosman

Campbell 49, Deal 46, Freeman 40

Layton 3/14, Simpson 3/17

r16 v eastern suburbs

Wijewardene 63*, Solway 52*

B Simpson 3/30, R Felsch 3/49

BYES / DRAWS

r1 BYE

r6 v Sutherland

Solway 149, Deal 65

r8 v hawkesbury

washed out

WINS

r1 v manly-warringah

Wijewardene 33

R Felsch 2/26

r2 v northern district

R Felsch 46, Solway 39* Marshall 6/22 inc. hat-trick

LOSSES

r3 v northern district

Campbell 31

Marshall 3/11

r4 v penrith

Solway 99, Marshall 55

B Simpson 2/57

r5 v sydney

Wijewarbene 43, Bell 35

B Simpson 5/51

r10 v western suburbs

Marshall 45

Marshall 3/28

r11 v manly warringah

Ahmed 49, Solway 40, R Felsch 37

Marshall 3/38

r12 v sydney university

R Felsch 49, Le Bas 41* (2nd inns), Deal 39 (2nd inns)

Marshall 2/35

r13 v parramatta

R Felsch 98, Campbell 55, Marshall 35 Bell 3/24

r15 v gordon

Kingsell 41 and 67* (2nd inns), Deal 40, R Felsch 3/72

LOSSES

r4 v parramatta

Deal 45*

Brown 2/19

r5 v mosman

Solway 65*, Wijewardene 49

The 2023/24 season was one of ups and downs on the field, with lots of talent coming through and look for more consistency in the seasons to come. The season started strongly, taking on Manly and Northern District to go 2 from 2 and leading to the team which progressed through to the finals of the T20 competition, before going down in a hard-fought game by a few runs at Rosedale Oval. Throughout the season, we were able to see some great highlights; this included 1st Grade gebuts for youngsters Angus Campbell, Zane Mitchell, and Riley Kingsell, along with some club stalwarts progressing through to 1st Grade, which would see one of the most impressive first-grade debuts in the club’s history. Koby Layton made an immediate impact with his scintillating spell of 6/11 on debut well and truly turned the game on its head, leading to a comprehensive victory.

We also had the pleasure of Englishman and Lancashire’s first-class batsman George Bell joining us for the season; we thank George for his contributions to the club. His charismatic energy and contribution to the club were appreciated, notably always having

time to help our young and aspiring cricketers.

Along with the debuts, we saw some great performances from many of the established players, with Liam Marshall having an outstanding season with both bat and ball, highlighted by a fantastic 6-for and hat-trick! Along with his progression on the field, Liam has continued to flourish as a leader of the group as he continues to grow with experience. Brad Simpson also showed his class with his first 5-for in first grade, which he bowled with great skill, pace and control. Additionally, in a breakout season with the bat for Ethan Deal, he was able to score his first century in 1st Grade and also score over 500 runs for the club, which is a fantastic achievement.

Noting all of the efforts above, the highlight has to be the fantastic team effort against Mosman at Bankstown Oval leading to an outright victory. It is extremely hard to claim an outright in any form of cricket, let alone in first grade. The team really rallied together in this game, with a fantastic bowling performance in both innings and some quickfire batting enabling an outright win with a session to spare. This showed the great talent

within the team and the opportunities that lay in front of us for the season ahead.

In summary, some great highlights from the season and showcasing some promise, the group are all looking forward to next year and to climbing the ladder with some more consistent performance to hopefully go deep in the finals in all formats of the competition.

On behalf of the 1st Grade squad I’d like to give a huge shout-out thank you to all our offfield helpers who keep the club functioning on training and match days. Apologies if I miss anyone but to Ray Richards, Ken Hall, Linsey Roworth and Brian Freedman – your hard work on match days is greatly appreciated.

To Geoff Price, who has added the role training coordinator to the already time-consuming 1st Grade scorer role, we are deeply indebted for your amazing support of the 1st Grade squad and the club as a whole.

To Meegan Smith, who produced Masterchefquality afternoon teas on top of running the general canteen for players and supporters, we can’t thank you enough for the time and effort you put into this important aspect of the club’s operations.

1ST GRADE BOWLING 2023-24

player matoversmrwktavgbest5 foreconstr

L Marshall 18159.2276343816.686-2213.9825.16

B Simpson 20189.5297972433.215-5114.247.46

R Felsch 13146244892222.234-2603.3539.82

K Layton 1097.5213161817.566-1113.2332.61

J Felsch 1178.2143171031.72-2104.0547.0

A Brown 1354.43295836.882-1905.441.0

B Le Bas 994.418292648.672-6303.0894.67

N Wijewardene 17559222637.01-1704.0455.0

G Bell 12326106521.23-2403.3138.4

J Smith 5190104426.02-1805.4728.5

D Burns 16038219.02-3806.3318.0

A Campbell 17133490--03.77-

Z Mitchell 1125150--01.25-

1ST GRADE BATTING 2023-24

player matinnnohsrunsavg10050

D Solway 2023714978048.7524

E Deal 2021411152731.011

Z Ahmed 202105438418.2901

N Wijewardene 1717163*36422.7501

R Felsch 131319836130.0801

A Campbell 1716279*32323.0702

G Bell 121318226622.1701

L Marshall 181425526422.001

R Freeman 121204016013.3300

R Kingsell 23167*12261.001

B Le Bas 99341*11419.000

B Simpson 2013829*5410.800

J Felsch 117121518.500

K Layton 107310*358.7500

D Burns 110151515.000

M Brown 1352682.6700

Z Mitchell 110888.000

M Hinds 110555.000

M Constantinou 10000-00

J Smith 50000-00

2nd grade

FINALS

QF v sutherland

Brockley 83, Hinds 50 J Felsch 4/10, Constantinou 3/15, Brown 2/10

SF v northern district

J Felsch 52, Kingsell 45 and 54 (2nd inns), J Felsch 5/44, Brown 2/18, Constantinou 2/37 and 3/44 (2nd inns)

gF v western suburbs

Freeman 78, Kingsell 55, J Felsch 51 Hara 5/28, Constantinou 4/40

WINS LOSSES

r1 v randwick petersham

Hinds 94, Kouventaris 56

Hara 2/42, Layton 2/84

r2 v fairfild liverpool

Kouventaris 86

Layton 2/31, Salman 2/40, Hara 2/42

r3 v northern district

Kingsell 43

Hara 2/33

r5 v Sydney

Kingsell 61*, Brockley 60

Hara 3/34, Constantinou 2/18 and 2/66 (2nd inns), Salman 2/24, Layton 2/28

r6 v sutherland

Freeman 168*, Middleton 89

Mitchell 5/23, Salman 3/15, Hara 2/10, Constantinou 2/54 (2nd inns)

r7 v blacktown mounties

Hinds 37, Constantinou 36

Constantinou 3/29, Penna 3/46, Hara 2/42

r9 v uts north sydney

Hinds 95*, Brockley 48, Middleton 32*

Salman 3/27, J Felsch 2/0, Hara 2/45

r10 v western suburbs

Kingsell 70, Hinds 61, Freeman 46, Kouventaris 37*

Mitchell 4/10, Salman 2/46, Hara 2/48

r12 v sydney university

Freeman 127, Hinds 67, Brockley 51, Middleton 41 Constantinou 5/45, Brown 3/41, J Felsch 2/40

r13 v parramatta

J Felsch 101, Brown 35

Hara 3/17

r14 v mosman

Kingsell 111, Middleton 59, Hinds 52, J Felsch 40*, Kouventaris 35* Wijewardene 4/17, Constantinou 3/33

r15 v gordon

Brockley 57, Hinds 42

J Felsch 3/28, Constantinou 2/23, Mitchell 2/32

r16 v eastern suburbs

Freeman 94, Hinds 56, Brown 32*, Kouventaris 31

Mitchell 4/54 and 3/26 (2nd inns), Brown 3/29, Hara 2/19

r4 v penrith

Mitchell 58*, Campbell 40

Layton 4/74, Hara 2/74

r11 v manly warringah

Brockley 70

BYES / DRAWS

r8 v hawkesbury

draw - washed out

Mtchell 4/14, Hara 3/17, J Felsch 2/38

I don’t think anything I write will truly explain the experience this group shared this season. At the start of every season, the aim for every team is to play finals cricket. We were fortunate enough to not only tick that box but go on to claim the Albert Cup by winning all three of our finals matches –an experience I’ll never forget.

Firstly, I’d like to talk through our season and share as much as I can about our journey before thanking the people who allowed us this amazing opportunity.

To go through a season only dropping two games is an outstanding achievement. This group should be so proud of

the resilience we showed all season. We had so many close games and we found ourselves on the right end of the result in every single one of them. We defeated Randwick-Petersham by 2 wickets on the last ball, Fairfield-Liverpool by 1 wicket with 3 balls to spare, Northern District by 3 wickets with 8 balls to spare, Blacktown by 1 wicket, Wests by 23 runs, Parramatta by 2 wickets with 4 balls to spare and Gordon by 13 runs. It was an amazing feeling to be a part of so many close victories.

To need the services of 25 players throughout the 16-round season generally challenges the quality and depth of

your squad (compared to the past three seasons having used 18, 19 and 22 players respectively). It was pretty amazing to be able to witness so many individuals make a substantial contribution to the team’s success and not let team changes impact the team’s ability to move forward. Joel Brockley had an outstanding season finishing with 480 runs after a tough start to the year. Brocks’ contribution extended far beyond his time in the middle (as a bat) serving as my right-hand man for most of the season. He was a reliable, experienced asset to have out on the field to help with field placements and plans.

2ND GRADE BATTING 2023-24

player matinnnohsrunsavg10050

M Hinds 1819295*64738.0607

R Kingsell 1516111159539.6714

R Freeman 11122168*59259.222

J Brockley 171808348026.6705

A Kouventaris 191948647531.6703

C Middleton 181728937925.2702

J Felsch 119110132440.512

A Brown 9813514721.000

M Constantinou 181543614413.0900

Z Mitchell 1813658*13519.2901

K Layton 642456331.500

G Hara 1913416*626.8900

M Simpson 540235914.7500

A Campbell 110404040.000

T Cordingley 63025258.3300

N Wijewardene 33010227.3300

B Handunneththi 110202020.000

E Prideaux 110151515.000

J Cormack 110777.000

L Croft 5116*6-00

R Alam 110555.000

M Salman 831342.000

N Freedman 2113*3-00

R Collison 110222.000

B Penna 110222.000

2ND GRADE BOWLING 2023-24

player matoversmrwktavgbest5 foreconstr

G Hara 19241.1516603618.335-2812.7440.19

M Constantinou 18297.3508243324.975-4512.7754.09

Z Mitchell 18212.3387262925.035-2313.4243.97

J Felsch 11169.4434202021.05-4412.4850.9

M Salman 895.2143251521.675-1503.4138.13

A Brown 9102.5243271423.363-2903.1844.07

K Layton 699.4153241227.04-7403.2549.83

N Wijewardene 3317114716.294-1703.6826.57

B Penna 110046315.333-4604.620.0

N Freedman 217342221.01-1902.4751.0

L Croft 516071171.01-2904.4496.0

R Freeman 1112337137.01-1403.0872.0

R Kingsell 150.50111.01-101.25.0

T Cordingley 61040--04.0-

B Handunneththi 174100--01.43-

Cameron Middleton really stood up when needed this season. One of the most reliable glovemen I’ve played with. I love how he gets the job done without fuss every week. Middo also took the most dismissals in the Second Grade competition with 35 catches and a stumping – well done mate. Middo’s 89 against Sutherland, rescuing us from 4-46 to put on an 189-run partnership with Freo, was an unbelievable innings –really standing up when the team needed it. The way Gurinder Hara, Mitch Constantinou and Justin Felsch controlled games this season (especially at Bankstown) was impressive.

It gave our team so much confidence as we never ran out of options. Gurinder was our leading wicket taker this season taking 36 wickets at 18. His 5/28 of 21.3 overs in the Final was an amazing spell of bowling resulting in a deserving Player of the Final award. Gurinder led our attack all season with his experience, patience and control. Having arrived from India 10 years ago, borrowing a pair of spikes to play cricket and now sinking Northerns every Saturday arvo with a group of Westies, how things can quickly change. Gurinder is now a most respected club man and wouldn’t have it any other way! It took time

2ND GRADE PARTNERSHIPS BY WICKET 2023-24

for Mitch Constantinou to adjust from playing nothing but limited-overs cricket (down the south coast) to 2-day cricket. After five rounds Connie didn’t have a wicket next to his name. Fast forward to the end of the season, and he is our second-leading wicket-taker with 33 wickets at 25. Connie was an extremely important part of our bowling group and probably our leading off-field personality having ongoing running battles with Brocks and Zane (not sure what they were always sledging each other about as I was never really listening, but they were always having fun). Justin Felsch is a peanut. The random

things he would do every week (randomly falling over, tackling teammates resulting in a concussion, criticising the opposition captain for leaving the field out, then getting caught on the fence, just to name a few) kept us all watching his every move with great anticipation. There is never a dull day with Justin Felsch in your team. He’s a genuine entertainer on and off the field and hit 324 runs at 40 with the bat (including a match-winning ton against Parramatta) and took 20 wickets at 21 with the ball in his time in Second Grade. These outstanding numbers are a huge part of our team’s success. I loved every minute of playing cricket with Felschy! Zane Mitchell had a great season taking 29 wickets at 25. Zane was also rewarded with a First Grade cap for his consistency which is an outstanding effort for someone playing his second season of Grade Cricket. It was so impressive to see Zane really start to set himself some high onfield standards while really enjoying himself off the field around the group, a great

all-around contributor to any team.

Alex Kouventaris started the season with three consecutive half-centuries and we needed every one of them. Kouvi had a great season and gave our team stability through our middle order, always putting the team first. Having waited many seasons for an opportunity to play a full season of Second Grade, he took it with both hands. Kouvi was someone I could always rely on and bounce ideas off. He also wasn’t going to let a broken toe keep him out of a Finals campaign toughing it out for the team and just getting on with the job. Riley Kingsell had an outstanding season. In his first season for the Bulldogs, he came across looking to play somewhere he could improve his cricket. He ended up doing so much more than that. He was the second leading run-scorer in the team scoring just shy of 600 at 40. It was so impressive to watch the growth and progression of such a talented cricketer. In the first few rounds, we knew

he had all the shots. His problem at the time was he tried to play them all in the first over he faced. Watching him control his aggression and hit a dominant hundred against Mosman, resulting in a First Grade debut the following week, was a credit to how far he’s come. He looked a complete, controlled player throughout the Finals series and got us off to a good start in each Finals game. Ryan Freeman is quite a unique individual, haven’t quite figured him out yet. It’s always a pleasure to have Freo in your team. In his first game back in Second Grade he hit an unbeaten 168 to remind everyone of what he can do. He backed that up a few games later with an outstanding 127 against a good Sydney University team in what was his most patient hundred I’ve seen. Freo added so much more to the team than his 592 runs at 59. His energy in the field (and during warmups) got the team going each and every week. I really enjoyed what Freo brought to the group this season, it was an absolute pleasure.

Ayden Brown only joined us late in the season having played most of the season in First Grade but had an immediate impact. He took some key early wickets with the new ball and shared in some crucial partnerships in the lower-middle order. His 75-run partnership with Felschy against Parramatta proved the difference in that match. It was awesome to have Browney’s experience to further complement our bowling attack. Due to an unfortunate family matter, Muhammad Salman was unable to finish the season with us having led our bowling attack throughout the first half of the season. Taking 15 wickets at 22 Sal was an asset swinging the ball both ways with good control. Hope to see you back next season. Koby Layton also made a strong contribution to the team, taking 12 wickets in the first half of the season before finishing the season in First Grade having taken 6/11 on his 1st Grade debut. Congratulations, Koby. There were a few other notable contributions throughout the season. Riley Collison doing an outstanding job with the gloves against Parramatta in Middo’s absence, Niran Wijewardene taking 4/17 off 10 against Mosman, Bailey Penna taking 3 wickets bowling at the death in his Second Grade debut against Blacktown and Luca Croft and Nick Freedman’s 10th-wicket partnership in the same game to get us home. I’d also like to thank Matt Simpson, Ethan Prideaux, Rahid Alam, Angus

Campbell, Tom Cordingley, Jake Cormack and Bryan Handunneththi for their contributions during their time in the team. I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to Tom Cordingley and Luca Croft for spending every minute with our group throughout our Finals campaign to assist with offfield duties and for being ready if needed to play a role. You’re both great to have around the group and I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as we enjoyed having you guys be a part of it with us.

Thank you to Reza, Marty, Brian and the Committee for your efforts and ongoing support this season. Also to Meegan, Margaret, Maureen, Kylee and Michelle for your amazing efforts in the canteen. The work you all do does not go unnoticed. Thanks to the volunteers and support staff to assist with game day operations, playing cricket at Bankstown is a pleasure and that’s due to the contribution of so many people behind the scenes. Thank you, Nick and your team, for making Bankstown Oval one of the best cricket grounds in Sydney. I’d also like to thank Jehan and the other captains for their help and assistance week to week in managing teams and communication. Thank you to Corey and Gary for all you do at training for the Club, our players have had so much success due to your well-structured environment. Thanks, Chris, for being with us to assist every week. You do an outstanding job, and I can’t

thank you enough. Thank you, Jen, for being with us each and every week. We thoroughly enjoy your presence and look forward to having a drink with you at the end of each day. Thanks for everything you do for us and congratulations on being awarded the Margaret and Eris Dignam ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’. I want to finish by thanking Tony Clark. Tony first captained this team in the 2018-19 season and led this team to finish 4th, having finished 15th the year before. In his five seasons captaining this team, we made the finals four times with the only time we missed, finishing 7th. He led this team to a Premiership in the 2019-20 season and has had a major impact on so many players in his time in this team. Tony’s drive to succeed, toughness, resilience and commitment to his training are just a few characteristics/traits that have laid the foundation for this team’s success. Tony shaped this team to what it is today. I’m privileged to be a part of this group and feel honoured to be given the opportunity to lead us out each week. Thank you, and Congratulations, everyone, on winning the Second Grade Competition; thoroughly deserved!

Mitch Hinds

3rd grade

WINS

r2 v fairfield-liverpool

Cordingley 48, Handunneththi 45

Barrett 2/46

r3 v northern district

Cordingley 73*, Handunneththi 63*

Handunneththi 3/20

r4 v penrith

M Simpson 100*, Handunneththi 49, Penna 49 N Freedman 3/44

LOSSES

r1 v randwick petersham

Cordingley 57

Penna 4/34, L Croft 3/35

r5 v sydney

Prideaux 40, Alam 36

Penna 3/25, Handunneththi 3/32

r6 v sutherland

Cordingley 47 N Freedman 2/16

r7 v blacktown mounties

Handunneththi 55

Melnyk 5/29

r8 v hawkesbury

r9 v uts north sydney

Melnyk 30

Penna 5/23

r10 v western suburbs

Handunneththi 47 L Croft 2/37, Penna 2/46

r11 v western suburbs

Prideaux 30

r12 v sydney university

Cordingley 61, Handunneththi 49 N Freedman 3/57

r13 v parramatta

Cormack 59*, L Croft 50*

Amadio 3/34

r14 v mosman

Cormack 152*, N Freedman 35, M Simpson 33 Penna 4/11

r15 v gordon

Cormack 66* L Croft 4/17

r16 v eastern suburbs

King 48, S Freedman 45 N Freedman 4/97

The 2023/24 season was a disappointing one for our 3rd grade side, with a 13th place finish - not reflecting the talent in the side. Wins against 3 of the top 6 - including being the only team to beat the premiersshowed how the season could have gone with more consistency.

Ethan Prideaux and Jake Cormack shared captaincy duties during the season, with Ethan stepping up to lead an inexperienced side, having probably the toughest role in the club heading into the season with a large turnover of players during the offseason.

Bailey Penna led from the front with the ball taking a brilliant 30 wickets at an average of onn 11.6, with best figures of 5/23. This is the most any bowler has taken in 3rd grade since 2012/13 – a brilliant reward for all of Bailey’s hard work over many seasons.

Nicholas Freedman, 19 wickets, Luca Croft,

18 wickets and Brian Handunneththi 17 wickets all had strong seasons with the ball.

With the bat, openers Brian Handunneththi and Tom Cordingley led from the front with 375 runs and 353 runs each to be the stand-out performers with the bat.

Jake Cormack also score a ridiculous 300 runs in only 4 innings at an average of 300, including a simply brilliant 152 not out against Mosman in round 14. This helped the team recover from 5/14 to post a matchwinning 9/267.

In the same game against Mosman, Jake and Nicholas Freedman (35 runs) put on 113 for the 9th wicket to set a new 3rd grade record, and falling 5 runs short of breaking the overall club record for the 9th wicket.

Round 13 against Parramatta saw Jake Cormack and Luca Croft perform an amazing escape, with Luca launching the ball to all parts of Kelso Oval,

scoring a remarkable 50 not out off only 24 balls, with two 4s and four 6s, leaving Jake to play second fiddle as Luca controlled the innings scoring 59 not out to see the team home. Jake and Luca had put on an unbeaten 86 to finish the game off in 8 overs.

Another stand out of the year was Matt Simpson since returning from injury last year to score a great 100 not out – showing his class and experience early in the season.

Special thanks to Tush Garg for warming up the side when he was available, to Gamini Perera and Craig Prideaux who scored for long chunks of time during the season. Thanks to Corey Richards and Chris Ridley for their efforts coaching throughout the season, Gary Crowfoot for his efforts at training and behind the scenes.

Our tireless volunteers, Marty, Brian and the entire committee, the effort put in behind the scenes does not go unnoticed and is always appreciated.

3RD GRADE BATTING 2023-24

player matinnnohsrunsavg10050

B Handunneththi 1515163*37526.7902

T Cordingley 1313173*35329.4203

J Cormack 443152*300300.012

L Croft 1411350*19123.8801

E Prideaux 151404018813.4300

M Simpson 661100*17635.210

R Collison 1514124*15612.000

B Penna 151404915611.1400

R Alam 10903611312.5600

H Barrett 860278414.000

J King 660487913.1700

N Freedman 1412435779.6300

J Perera 540266516.2500

S Freedman 110454545.000

A Melnyk 55030459.000

B Collison 44017358.7500

M Amadio 1310612*328.000

M Brown 110151515.000

M Fitzgerald 441693.000

C Kavuri 220684.000

C Stefanish 2215*55.000

A Clark 220442.000

C Ridley 110333.000

C Fitzjohn 11000000

3RD GRADE BOWLING 2023-24

player matoversmrwktavgbest5 foreconstr

B Penna 15122.1283483011.65-2312.8524.43

N Freedman 14179.1186091932.054-9703.456.58

L Croft 14103.2153801821.114-1703.6834.44

B Handunneththi 15120.3234031723.713-2003.3442.53

M Amadio 1396223311227.583-3403.4548.0

A Melnyk 5301140623.335-2914.6730.0

H Barrett 8647259551.82-4604.0576.8

M Brown 15121121.01-2104.230.0

S Freedman 111140140.01-4003.6466.0

M Fitzgerald 42531160--04.64-

C Fitzjohn 130300--010.0-

E Prideaux 1572240--03.43-

C Stefanish 292280--03.11-

C Kavuri 230160--05.33-

B Handunneththi 174100--01.43-

3RD GRADE PARTNERSHIPS BY WICKET 2023-24

4th grade

FINALS

QF v manly warringah

Fitzgerald 31

Stefanish 2/38

WINS

r1 v randwick petersham

Melnyk 65*

Kavuri 2/27, Melnyk 2/48

r2 v fairfield-liverpool

Cormack 83*, Bilimoria 51, Jamil 32

Kavuri 7/46

r3 v northern district

Cormack 55*, King 46, Bilimoria 41

Melnyk 3/18

r4 v penrith

Melnyk 34* and 42* (2nd inns)

Jamil 3/25, Sidhu 4/48 and Jamil 3/7 (2nd inns)

r6 v sutherland

King 53*

Melnyk 5/18, Stefanish 5/31

r7 v blacktown mounties

Hawksworth 63*, Cormack 44

Hawksworth 3/5

r12 v sydney university

King 84*, Talha 32, Barrett 30*

Tahla 5/47

r13 v sydney university

Hawksworth 87*, Melnyk 70, Talha 36, S Freedman 35

Stefanish 4/32, S Freedman 3/29

LOSSES

r16 v eastern suburbs

McMahon 48, Fitzgerald 30* (2nd inns)

Jamil 5/3, Stefanish 4/41 and 3/33 (2nd inns)

r5 v sydney

Cormack 51

Fitzgerald 3/35

r9 v UTS northsydney

Fitzgerald 3/17

r10 v western suburbs

Perera 43, Barrett 37

Stefanish 3/27

r11 v manly warringah

Hawksworth 88*, Cormack 50

Kavuri 3/55

r14 v mosman

Perera 34, McMahon 32*

S Freedman 3/32, Stefanish 3/58

r15 v mosman

S Freedman 60, Perera 51, Stefanish 3/34

DRAWS

r8 v hawkesbury

washed out

Bilimoria 48, Fitzgerlad 34

The 2023/24 seaason saw our 4th grade team continue to build on a strong 2022/23, and make the finals or the first time since the 2012/13 season. Unfortunately the season ended at the hands of eventual premiers Manly who proved far too strong in the Qualifying Final.

Strong wins against 2nd place Northern District and 5th place Sydney Uni, as well as comprehensive outright wins against Penrith and Eastern Suburbs showed the potential of this side. The team had a strong mix of experienced campaigners, led from the front by Jake Cormack who sacrificed his Saturdays to return to the club and guide our young players. Jake won several games off his own bat in both 3s and 4s this year, finishing his 4th grade season with 327 runs at an average of 46.

James Hawksworth and Anthony Melnyk both had great seasons. James scored 433 runs with 3 brilliant half centuries on his return to the club, and Anthony scored 299 runs and

took 15 wickets to prove their class in a strong 4th grade side.

The standout with the ball once again this season was Chris Stefanish, who passed 500 wickets in Sydney Premier Cricket, and went on to take an unbelievable 36 wickets in 4s, and 45 wickets in all grades to lead our bowling attack weekin week-out and be a deserving winner of the Bankstown Sports Club Player of the Year award.

This season also saw several of the next generation step up and become regular 4th graders, and push on to make their 3rd grade debuts. Sam Freedman and Matt Fitzgerald stood out as left arm pace bowling all rounders, with Matt helping to win a key game in the 1st round, and Sam stepping up to 4th grade with a 50 when opening the batting in 3s having started in 5th grade.

Jordan King, Johann Perera and Cooper McMahon played key innings throughout the year, and Praneel Kavuri took a magnificent 7 wicket haul against Fairfield to secure a

great win early in the year. Hassaan Jamil took a brilliant 5/3 against Easts to help the side qualify for finals, while Mo Talha returned from a preseason injury to impact games with both bat and ball as the season went on.

Congratulations also goes to Tony Clark who played his 700th NSW Grade Cricket game this year in 4th grade, an unbelievable achievement and testament to his constant hard work and fighting efforts on the field!

Special thanks to Gamini Perera who always went above and beyond to score and take photos for 4th grade. Thanks to Corey Richards and Chris Ridley for their coaching efforts throughout the season, Gary Crowfoot for his efforts at training and behind the scenes. Iain Ridley who helped this captain with selections in all grades each round. Our tireless volunteers, Marty, Brian and the entire committee, the effort put in behind the scenes does not go unnoticed and is always appreciated.

Jehan Bilimoria

4TH GRADE BATTING 2023-24

player matinnnohsrunsavg10050

J Hawksworth 1718388*43328.8703

J Cormack 109283*32746.7104

A Melnyk 111237029933.2202

J Perera 111205126622.1701

J King 1112384*26229.1102

M Fitzgerald 1212435*22828.500

J Bilimoria 131315120417.001

M Talha 89136*15719.6300

McMahon 151144814220.2900

S Freedman 7706013319.001

H Jamil 973329423.500

H Barrett 421376767.000

J Ashburner 78123446.2900

C Kavuri 129215*385.4300

S Cordingley 74210199.500

C Stefanish 13646*199.500

M Condon 22017178.500

A Clark 11116*16-00

S Shahid 3305144.6700

L Snell 12012126.000

R Malcolm 110111111.000

S Hasan 220894.500

J Duckett 221222.000

K Saisanas 3211*11.000

L Bean 10000-00

L Bethell 1110*0-00

R Sidhu 40000-00

4TH GRADE BOWLING 2023-24

player matoversmrwktavgbest5 foreconstr

C Stefanish 13196.1445163614.335-3112.6332.69

C Kavuri 12111153831920.167-4613.4535.05

M Fitzgerald 12126303161817.563-1702.5142

A Melnyk 1173.1272051513.675-1812.829.27

H Jamil 950.281751412.55-313.4821.57

M Talha 870.3102411220.085-4713.4235.25

S Freedman 757.410184920.443-2903.1938.44

R Sidhu 4483152819.04-4803.1736.0

J Bilimoria 13539190631.672-1903.5853.0

J Hawksworth 1711.5155511.03-504.6514.2

S Cordingley 7396148437.02-1703.7958.5

K Saisanas 315249316.332-2803.2730.0

H Barrett 431.15104252.01-2103.3493.5

J Duckett 218299249.51-2105.554.0

J Bean 17311111.01-1101.5742.0

L Bethell 14036136.01-3609.024.0

J Perera 111040--04.0-

4TH GRADE PARTNERSHIPS BY WICKET 2023-24

5th grade

WINS

r2 v fairfield-liverpool

Ashburner 41*

Kelly 4/14

r3 v northern district

Ashburner 76

Stefanish 4/35

r6 v sutherland

Ashburner 64, R Malcolm 57

Saisanas 4/13

r7 v blacktown mounties

Bailey 59, R Malcolm 33, Hasan 30

Mohammed 5/48

r10 v western suburbs

S Freedman 32, Snell 32

Cordingley 2/15

r13 v parramatta

Ashburner 55*

Cordingley 5/32

r14 v MOSMAN

Ashburner 54, Condon 32, Jamil 30

T Croft 3/14, Cordingley 3/15

Duckett 5/21 (2nd inns)

DRAWS

r8 v hawkesbury

washed out

Snell 121, Talha 86, Bailey 30

r16 v eastern suburbs

Condon 66

Moore 2/14, Bean 2/20, Kavuri 2/33

LOSSES

r1 v randwick petersham

Bailey 73

Stefanish 6/43

r4 v penrith

S Freedman 49 (2nd inns)

Budge 3/55

r5 v sydney

Bailey 56, Plowes 45 T Croft 2/25, S Freedman 2/46

r9 v UTS NORTH sydney

Talha 68, S Freedman 58

r11 v manly warringah

Ducket 2/26

r12 v sydney university

Condon 41

Mohammed 2/28, Jamil 2/43

r15 v gordon

Condon 68*, Snell 39

Jamil 4/30, Duckett 3/16

The young people that come to Bankstown to play grade cricket continue to impress with character, determination and skill. It is great to say that 5th grade saw this in every new player to the club, and the ones returning from previous seasons came with those traits and a hunger to play higher. These all made for some exciting moments in many games and made it a pleasure to captain the side again through the season.

The depth and skill was some of the best we have seen at this club and in my couple of decades playing with or watching 5th grade sides. This was obviously exciting to see and resulted in a number of strong individual performances. Those who know cricket well also recognize you need more than just a few good individual performances to make a good side. This team did more; they played for each other and the family that is the Bulldogs grade club and gelled quite well through the season. They also showed the grit and fight

needed in key moments in games. This lead to more wins than we have seen in 5s for a few seasons, and a couple of very dominant team performances. The team was arguably one of the youngest in 5th grade. Yes, it was disappointing to miss the finals by a couple of games, but the players should know the experience gained and huge steps taken this season point to very promising seasons ahead.

Before we get into the rest of our season, I want to congratulate Mitch Hinds and 2s on their dominant performance this year. Mitch well done on your first season steering 2s around. I look forward to watching all the players who were in your side play with that confidence again next season. Many will play higher. And it is important to also acknowledge Club skipper Dan Solway on his significant achievement of over 10,000 runs for the club.

Thanks as well to the senior players who either captained or helped out in 5s: Ryan Malcolm, Matt Kelly

and Brett Collison. Your experience and passion for the club and in playing the game is so beneficial for the young guys. Max Condon had a very strong first-up effort as a young captain in Rd 16 against Eastern suburbs – one of the finalists. Shanaq Hasan, Farhan Mohammad, the evergreen Chris ‘Steffa’ Stefanish and returning player James Duckett also showed with their actions how to compete in every game. More on ‘Steffa’ later. Frasier Bailey also came to the club and lit up our batting in the first half of the season with some great stroke play.

Season 2023/24 saw 5s field 9 Green Shield players. Eight played their first games of grade cricket - so Bankstown cap presentations were a frequent feature at the start of many games. The other Green Shield returning player was Lachlan Snell. All 9 gave us a glimpse of the future at the Dogs. We saw some great spin bowling from young offie Josh Bean, especially in the 1st half of the season, the odd over of leggies

from Lachlan Plowes, and some challenging left arm swing from Thomas Budge. Sam Freedman bowled some good spells both the new ball and old, and will be very challenging and deserve selection higher as he develops and consistently uses his pace, swing and bounce which as a leftie can be a brilliant combination. James Duckett came back from a late season injury and bowled the great areas he does. He maybe even added a yard or so of pace… that made him even more destructive in 5s when he found his rhythm. He did this in his last 3 bowling innings for us where he took 10-66; which included 7-50 over 2 innings vs Mosman as a big factor in our outright. But the 2 bowlers who really shone throughout their first seasons of grade were Kostas Saisanas and Sam Cordingley.

Kostas took a couple of games to find his feet but then had some impressive spells of fast bowling. He literally ran through the top order on a helpful Tonkin wicket and took 4-13 to assist us to a dominant 1st innings win against Sutherland and was promptly invited into 4th grade. As his tall, young body toughens up to the challenge of bowling fast regularly he will be an asset in higher grades. His batting is also strong, so when both of those skills develop further will be a very solid all-rounder.

Sam Cordingley was impressive with his accuracy, flight and turn with leggies

which were almost always ‘on’ and pressured batsman all season. This is a rare trait in a young leggie, so it was easy to throw him the ball knowing he would both tie an end up and probably take wickets. It was pleasing to hear he repeated these efforts in Greenies and in Watson U17 reps and no surprise he was our leading wicket taker. We also saw great spells from James Duckett and Farhan who took 5 fors, Matt Kelly, in his 2 games with us, all rounder Sam Freedman and Hassaan Jamil who reminded us he can bowl extremely well at times. His 4 for against Gordon late in the season almost won us that game when it had swung well in the oppositions favor. Surprisingly we found Reagan Sidhu back in 5s after returning from injury. His bowling and turn deserved more wickets than he actually took, so expect he will again push for higher grades in coming seasons when fit. He also took up the challenge whenever an opposition bat got in and looked to dominate our bowling. That ‘competitive’ streak and ability to withstand pressure is a very strong trait in another young leggie. This was obvious in the game against Syd Uni when one of their batsman was coasting to a deserved 100. Reagan continued to apply pressure with his bowling on the small ground, which is tough when square boundaries are short. Though Sam Cordingley got that batsman out in the

90s with a good caught and bowled, ‘Reags’ sustained good bowling from the other end definitely contributed. Though I have watched Reagan develop as a bowler from about the U10s, we forget he is still quite young when he shows this much cricket maturity on the field.

The most impressive single bowling effort this season came from Chris Stefanish. Steffa let me know he was going to be an hour late to the Rd 1 game against Randwick-Petersham. He turned up and promptly took the last 6 wickets of their innings. Then took 3 in his next 5s game vs Northern District and was promoted to 4s never to be seen in 5s again. Having first played Steffa about 20 seasons ago when his bowling was quite fast, his efforts to continue to take wickets and reach 500 in all grades is an impressive achievement and a tribute to his skill and determination. It was no surprise to those who have known him for awhile to see him continue to take regular bags of wickets in higher grades and be the Bulldogs Bansktown Sports Club Player of the Season 2023/2024. It is even more extraordinary when he was unable to get to any training with us, due to work commitments, and had to find time to bowl by himself in a local net somewhere.

In batting the team and many individuals took huge strides this year. We highlighted the need to do this at the start of the season if we were to be competitive.

Actually in many games against the top sides, the senior guys mentioned above and I stressed we needed to compete with all 3 skills: bat, ball and in the field. But batting is where we really needed to improve most as a side this season. I will mention a number of individual performances soon, but a sign of big progress was having 7 batsmen average more than 25 over the season: a good sign the batsmen have progressed from the previous year. We also had a number of great partnerships.

The batting really impressed those who have watched 5s closely the last few seasons: Mo Talha came back after injury and took up straight where he left from the season before; he always looked solid to start his innings before playing his expansive shots. With his excellent off-spin he was not with us long. Sam Freedman backed up his bowling with as much value as an opening bat with patience, solid strokes and some good timing to help his power shots. Lachlan Plowes had a breakout season across both 5s and Green Shield. He was cruelly denied a 50 on debut; given lbw when in fact he had middled the ball. He continued to show he is a very promising bat with some great offside shots the highlight of his game.

The top four bats for our side this season really made us competitive gave us a chance by setting great totals as a batting unit. I will

name them in a moment: but must give credit to the solid batting and leadership that Ryan Malcom brought to 5s across his 7 games for us this season. Ryan’s example, and that of the other senior players, is what always helps lower grade sides develop younger players and sides to be more competitive.

Frasier Bailey joined the Bulldogs, playing his first games of grade cricket and was one of the top run scorers in 5th grade before Christmas. He has a great mix of power shots on flat tracks and application when the wickets weren’t flat. His tidy keeping was also an asset this season and we look forward to seeing his development progress in the coming seasons. Max Condon stood as a rock for us as opener; he played on some very friendly wickets for bowlers and his technique was exceptional in those games, then scored freely when batting conditions improved. He can also be relied upon as a young leader in the side. One game stood out when mentioning his technique; the game at Birchgrove vs Sydney in appallingly wet conditions. Max batted for 70 balls for his 20 on day 1 when we eventually got on. He set us up for a good total, when many games around the grade either did not go ahead or sides fell over batting on wet and greasy wickets. His first effort as captain was also against a strong Easts side in Rd 16 and he stood tall. He was one of our top in form

batters in the 2nd half of the season.

Two contrasting batsmen ended up being our top run scorers for the season, with almost 350 runs each. This was so pleasing to see after they both debuted in 5s in the previous season. Jack Ashburner and Lachlan Snell brought a lot of intent, patience when it was needed and some great stroke play when they got going. Jack’s defence is rock solid and his four 50s were a good reward for all his hard work in the nets and application in the middle. I look forward to seeing him when pushes on to some big scores in the seasons coming because he does have a good temperament to bat and bat. Lach’s development was awesome to see after he showed promise in 2022/23, his ability to score freely is obvious, where he improved this season was better shot selection and also just to keep the good ball out. His partnership with Mo Talha (Mo got 86) in the Hawkesbury game was a great reward and reflected this improvement. Lach scored his maiden grade ton after they rescued the side from 4-50 to an impregnable 313. It was frustrating when the heat policy came into effect that day to deny us a clear chance at bonus point win, but days like that highlighted the massive improvement in the playing group that were in 5s this season. They saw the importance of partnerships whether batting or bowling.

5TH GRADE BATTING 2023-24

player matinnnohsrunsavg10050

J Ashburner 91037634849.7104

L Snell 1515112134824.8610

F Bailey 141527331924.5403

M Condon 1011268*26429.3302

S Freedman 91005820220.201

M Talha 4408617944.7502

R Malcolm 7705716223.1401

L Plowes 5514510827.000

T Croft 1010318*8612.2900

F Mohammed 117028618.7100

S Hasan 760306010.000

H Jamil 661305911.800

K Saisanas 64121*4314.3300

S Shahid 230203812.6700

R Sidhu 84014379.2500

J Duckett 54321*3636.000

T Budge 642123015.000

T

C

L

M

L Bethell 1118*8-00

C Kavuri 210888.000

N Tanha

5TH GRADE PARTNERSHIPS BY WICKET 2023-24

In all it was an exciting season to be a part of and if these players keep developing at the same rate in coming seasons will become very strong cricketers and give the club some impressive depth.

In closing, many thanks to the excellent coaches we have. Corey Richards, Gary

Crowfoot and Chris Ridley all help us develop not just our skills but remind us of the focus and passion required to be competitive. Another tireless effort by Jehan as chairman of selectors and the many volunteers at the club and on the committee lead by Marty Klumpp, Brian Freedman and Geoff Price.

5TH GRADE BOWLING 2023-24

Of course Reza Bilimoria also needs to be acknowledged for providing the leadership and vision that is key to developing a great and forward looking grade cricket club. I look forward to another season of achievement in 2024/25 at the Dogs. Tim Croft

First of all, I would like to congratulate the UTS North Sydney Club on winning the PG Competition after taking out the final against a very strong Northern District outfit.

Also, I would like to acknowledge the coaching support I received, particularly on game day preparations, from both Jehan and Alex—thank you!

It would be fair to say that an underwhelming start to the competition, with consecutive losses to Wests and Blacktown, put us on the back foot in a five round series looking to qualify as a final contender.

However, what is pleasing to report is how the boys responded by winning the three remaining games with solid performances against Penrith, Northern District and FairfieldLiverpool by narrowly missing a finals berth.

The back half of the campaign showed after early round leanings that the group had the talent and resolve to improve not only their individual performances but, most importantly,

poidevin-gray

the team’s attitude and commitment to play a more competitive brand of cricket.

All disciplines improved and our batting efforts demonstrated a notable ‘occupation at the crease’ mindset from the top order with better shot selection and execution and a more focused development of building partnerships over the course of fifty overs.

Congratulations once again to Ethan and Ryan on registering 100s in the series - both outstanding knocks.

George Bell, Riley Kingsell and Gus demonstrated their undoubted talent in our run chase against Northern District.

Bowling improvement was also notable with a special call out to Luca Croft whose impact coming into the bowling group after round two provided the variation and new ball support for Zane.

Hayden was always willing to work with Bailey. Our young spinning group is all very talented and provided solid contributions throughout the series.

However, it was our fielding improvement and attitude that really started to take shape in the back half of the competition, led by our captain/wicketkeeper

Ethan Deal, with further leadership support provided by George Bell, Gus & Jake Smith. Not only did our enthusiasm for the contest improve for each ball / over, but it was our infield and outfield execution regarding ground fielding, throwing and catching that started to turn our fortunes around as we became a better team in the field.

A brilliant display with the ball and our fielding against Northern District saw them bundled out for 191 in the 47th over. Our game day standards were now clearly on the improve, and as importantly, so was our brand of cricket – “The Bulldog Way.”

When looking at our individual performances over the five games with bat and ball against all other clubs in the Poidevin-Gray competition to get back in contention for a final series, there is no doubt

the challenge for the group moving forward will be how to be more consistent over the course of the competition.

Leading benchmark performances with the bat need to be between 300400 runs and with the ball between 12-16 wickets.

Having said the above, I have no doubt we have the talent in this squad as already mentioned.

Well done to Luca Croft, Zane Mitchell & Jake Smith, all taking seven wickets a piece and also to Ethan Deal 196 runs, Ryan Freeman 191 runs, and George Bell 175 runs for their individual contributions throughout the series.

I would also like to personally compliment Ethan Deal on his captaincy throughout the series. His leadership also improved as did his personal performances over the course of the series. Being a keeper-batsman, it’s not an easy task to assume a captaincy role. However, the experience will hold him in good stead for the future and the development of his game.

Also, I would like to thank Jake Smith and his family for making the effort to continue an important relationship with the club from the ACT.

Congratulations to Jake for being presented at the ACT Cricket Awards night – 1st

Grade Player of the Year, 1st Grade Bowler of the Year and being selected also in the Team of the Year –outstanding recognition for a very talented young player. My extended thanks go out to all the players, the coaching staff, the club’s committee, scorers throughout the series, volunteers and Nick and his ground staff at Bankstown Oval.

Gary Crowfoot

POIDEVIN-GRAY SHIELD PARTNERSHIPS BY WICKET 2023-24

gr n shield

The 2023/24 Green Shield was a story of what could have been, with close losses and a tough draw leading to a 13th-place finish. Playing 6 teams that finished in the top 10 meant we had to be on top of our game each round, however key moments went against us and led to only 2 wins.

Congratulations to Manly who once again set the standard and led from the front for the entire tournament –deserved winners.

A strong win against Penrith in Round 1 and a win in Round 7 against a Mosman side pushing for finals highlighted the season, but unfortunately the middle rounds produced loses with wickets lost in clumps proving too difficult to overcome against quality bowling sides.

Country player Taylor Gilbert lead from the front with the ball to take 14 wickets at an average of 12 to earn himself a place in the SCA Green Shield Merit side including an explosive 6/34. Taylor also scored a match winning 82 not out in round 1 against Penrith.

Other highlights include a strong 60 from Lucas Kay who was also part of our top 5 partnerships through the season standing up and being a critical batter for us.

There was some determined batting from Lachie Snell and Cooper McMahon to get us close in a tight run chase against Easts, while Kostas Saisanas, Sam Cordingley and Josh Bean all chipped in with good bowling across the competition.

A great sign for the club’s future was the number of players exposed to the grade system this year, with 11 members of the side playing at least 5th grade, and 6 of those playing 4th grade or higher.

Special thanks must go to: Ben Le Bas who was an excellent co-coach throughout the year, providing expert advice for our spinners; Brett Collison for keeping everything running smoothly off the field, from ground preparation, and Mick Snell for their thankless help managing and scoring for the side. And special mention to Rodney and Bobo Budge who provided amazing lunches.

Thank you to the management committee (especially Brian Freedman), Corey, Chris and Gary for their continued support throughout the season, facilitating training, ground access and helping to select the side all the way back in March.

Jehan Bilimoria

AW GREEN SHIELD PARTNERSHIPS BY WICKET 2023-24

BANKSTOWN WOMEN’S CRICKET

It is an honour to be writing this report after my first season as President of Bankstown Sports Women’s Cricket Club in the 2023/24 season.

In a season of change, it would be remiss of me not to mention the outgoing President, Rob Smith. Rob has been involved with the club for over 20 years and was President for 15. During his tenure, First Grade won an unprecedented 8 titles in 9 years while also claiming premierships in Brewer Shield, Third Grade and Second Grade across the course of his time. We were also proudly named club champions for 2 consecutive years during Rob’s time and although on-field results are what people see, it was his leadership and guidance off field that has held us in good stead for all these years.

In season 2023/24, we had teams in all four grades and although we didn’t contest any finals, we won more games and had better individual performances compared to the previous year and I firmly believe we are shaping up to be a force across all grades in the coming seasons. There were many individual and team milestones hit this season and I would like to congratulate each and every player on their commitment to this great club.

Something I am very proud of is that we had 22 club debutants this season and I believe that is a testament

to the culture at Bankstown. From the playing group, to the coaches and committee, everyone has contributed to the culture we are building and will continue to build. Next season we are looking to host more social events, celebrate player milestones better and engage new sponsors who align to our values in 2024/25.

Supporting these teams and players takes an enormous amount of organising, so I’d like to extend my heartfelt thank you to everyone who has enabled this to happen again this season. Whether you held an official committee

position, scored, managed, or simply put your hand up when there was a gap to be filled, I cannot thank you enough.

Match Day Supporters:

Jennene Abrook

Brad Abrook

Rob Bruce

Clint Gaughan

Mary Fraser

Lyn Stathis

Denise Martin

Greig Harland

Terry Danne

Jennifer Campbell

Coaches:

Charlie Mandleberg

Toby Whittington

Alex Kouventaris

Megan McColl

Rob Mack

Paul Stathis

Management Committee:

Virginia Errington

Paul Stathis

Andrew Lawler

Roger Errington

Jade Errington

Emma Newman

Ellie Newsom

Rose Whelan

Rob Smith

Jennene Abrook

Angie Genford

Sharon Cooper

Particular thank you must go to those on the management committee for their unwavering commitment and dedication to the club. There were some unique challenges this season but these individuals worked tirelessly to ensure the environment around the club is one where the players can thrive both as cricketers and as young women.

Each year we present the President’s Award to a volunteer who has gone above and beyond. This year, this was presented to Virginia Errington who has been the secretary for the last 4 seasons but does a lot more than what that position entails. Virginia works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything

is meticulously organised and in order and we could not be more grateful for her unwavering commitment to the club.

We are proud of the players who are currently playing elite level cricket and came through the Bankstown pathway; Ashleigh Gardner, Erin Burns, Katie Mack, Maddie Penna, Angie Genford, Amy Hunter and Jannutal Sumona. All of who are great role models for the young girls who are starting their cricket journey.

Congratulations and thank you must go to Reza, Marty and the entire BDCC for another incredible season on and off the field. Being crowned 2nd Grade Premiers is a wonderful achievement as is the mountain of work

Dharmini Chauhan - Dick Phillips Award

Maeve Martin- Wicket Keeper of the Year

that has gone in off-field in the redevelopment of the changeroom facilities. These changerooms not only take our oval to the next level, but also allow us to create an inclusive environment for young women and girls. We are proud to be associated with the BDCC and the support we receive is greatly appreciated.

I’d also like to thank the directors and staff at Bankstown Sports Club for their ongoing support of our club which is truly invaluable. While we endeavour to take

our club to the next level, the generous support of the Sports Club has allowed us to develop many young cricketers and coaches, while positively impacting the community through grassroots support.

A special thank you to Dick Phillips for being our club patron. We would not be able to operate at the capacity that we do without those who have come before us. I would like to acknowledge our Life Members, Sharon Cooper, Megan Wilson, Therese MacGregor, Sue

Hewitt, Richard Phillips, Melissa Penman, Gary Penman and Justin Newman for their ongoing commitment and support. To conclude, thank you everyone for your contributions this season. We have a really special club here and I can’t thank the players, coaches, volunteers and supporters enough for helping shape it into what it is today.

Samantha Balnave President

Greer McKerron - Rookie of the Year

Karina Bell - Max McLeay Memorial Award

Major award winners for the 2023/24 season include:

Wicketkeeper of the year:

Maeve Martin

Rookie of the Year:

Greer McKerron

Max McLeay Memorial Trophy: Karina Bell

Dick Phillips Award: Dharmini Chauhan

U18 Brewer Shield

Batting Award : Jessica Robertson

323 runs @ av 35.89

Bowling Award: Lily Salter

11 wickets @ av 16.45

Fielding Award:

Bareen Haider

8 catches, 1 run out

Player of Year:

Jessica Robertson

3rd Grade

Batting Award: Claire Jones

430 runs @ av 53.75

Bowling Award:

Alanna Yates

15 wickets @ av 23.2

Fielding Award: Claire Jones

8 catches, 1 run out

Player of Year: Claire Jones

2nd Grade

Batting Award: Emilia Danne

287 runs @ av 31.89

Bowling Award: Ava Blackburn

17 wickets @ av 13.06

Fielding Award: Chrissa Stathis

7 catches, 4 run outs

Player of Year: Cynthia Coghlan

1st Grade

Batting Award:

Dharmini Chauhan

330 runs @ av 66

Bowling Award: Karina Bell

20 wickets @ av 11.8

Fielding Award: Dharmini Chauhan

6 catches, 1 run out

Player of Year: Dharmini Chauhan

Service Loyalty Awards

5 years : Katie Abrook

Alanna Yates

10 Years:

Jade Errington

Chloe Devlin

15 Years: Ellie Newsom

FIRST GRADE PLAYERS AND CAP NUMBERS 1951/52

TO 2023/24

Mark W illey

Peter Vidler

Shane Cusick

W ilson

Nick Geale

Steve Sydes

Wayne Holdsworth

Scott Prestwidge

Dean Waugh

Todd Crameri

Mark Freedman

Brett Patman

Brett Hugo

Steve Moss

Ken Hall

Mick Bartley

Glenn Cubitt

Scott Philipson

Steve Dignam

Sean Pope

181 Rob Luc

182 Steve Luc

183 Brett Elliott

184 Chris Madden

185 Darryn Bull

186 Greg Trevena

187 Kevin Roberts

188 Ben Smith

189 Scott Vidler

190 Danny Waugh

191 Scott Grant

192 Nathan Bracken

193 Shane Deitz

194 Trent Woodhill

195 Corey Richards

196 Sean McKiernan

197 Dean Magee

198 Gary Baldwin

199 Kym Beazleigh

200 Graeme Smith

201 Jason Deitz

202 Anthony Smith

203 Shane Duff

204 Damien Benson

205 Grant Roden

206 David Sidie

207 Paul Clarke

208 Matt Betsey

209 Paul Maraziotis

210 Vaughan Williams

211 Hilal Dannaoui

212 Daniel Moy

213 Troy Brown

214 James Allsopp

215 Chris Gane

216 Scott Jamieson

217 Andrew O’Brien

218 Brad Roworth

219 Aaron Bird

220 Michael Bright

221 Craig Parkinson

222 Clintin Price

223 Peter Dugmore

224 Gian Scuglia

225 Darren Ettridge

226 James Bourne

227 Bevan Van Blerk

228 Pat Darwen

229 Gavin Atkin

230 Simon Keen

231 Daniel Burns

232 Chris Small

233 Chris Ridley

234 Brett Van Deinsen

235 Scott Truashiem

236 Mick Polson

237 Anthony Sams

238 Dave Ward

239 Jackson Bird

240 Jerry Cassell

241 Byron Hackshall

242 Dean Burke

243 Jarrad Burke

244 T im Freeburn

245 Daniel McLauchlan

246 Ben Smith

247 Daniel Sams

248 Luke Reece

249 Jake Cormack

250 Brett Collison

251 Philip Wells

252 Nick Carruthers

253 Mitchell Phelps

254 T im Burns

255 Daniel Solway

256 Daniel Harding

257 Alex Patterson

258 Darryl Tuffey

259 Nathan McAndrew

260 Harry Gurney

261 R yan Beaven

262 Andrew Jamieson

263 Ashley Paddison

264 Aaron Yabsley

265 Mark Stoneman

266 Matt Smith

267 Ethan Leten

268 Michael Stretton

269 Michael Arblaster

270 Kerrod White

271 Jason Haywarrd

272 Ayden Brown

273 Mitch Farag

274 Rhys Williams

275 Adam Coyte

276 Brendan Smith

277 Daniel Hayes

278 David Lozinski

279 Thomas Sowden

280 Mitch Brown

281 Mitch Claydon

282 Luke Docherty

283 Joel Brockley

284 Alistair McDermott

285 KyleBrockley

286 Ben Le Bas

287 Ben Taylor

288 Matt Simpson

289 Wallace Marshall

290 Tushaar Garg

291 Peter Dignam

292 Liam Marshall

293 Brad Simpson

294 Matthew Waite

295 R yan Clark

296 Jake Fawcett

297 Jarred Lysaught

298 Cameron Middleton

299 Zeeshaan Ahmed

300 Daniel Nicotra

301 Matt Bursa

302 Mitch Hinds

303 Dayne Heward

304 Mansukh Singh

305 Ethan Deal

306 Tyler Van Luin

307 Ryan Felsch

308 Niran Wijewardene

309 George Balderson

310 Ryan Freeman

311 Justin Felsch

312 Angus Campbell

313 Jake Smith

314 George Bell

315 Koby Layton

316 Zane Mitchell

317 Riley Kingsell

CURRENT PLAYERS’ CAREER STATISTICS

FOR BANKSTOWN DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB

Z Ahmed 214429785122055

R Alam 011511151000

M Amadio 0414101212

J Ashburner 0837837000

F Bailey 0319319000

E Ball 01515000

H Barrett 060160105858

J Bean 00001313

L Bean 04040044

G Bell 2661754415611

L Bethell 088011

J Bilimoria 0281428140204204

J Brockley 7336713744000

A Brown 305105402789116

M Brown 256915258479180

T Budge 03131099

D Burns 5815191100116102218

A Campbell 32340363000

T Clark 05075070107107

B Collison 30501531022

R Collison 0500500000

M Condon 0827827000

M Constantinou 015115103535

S Cordingley 0232302626

T Cordingley 0908908055

J Cormack 342631226548044

L Croft 030930905959

T Croft 024524502020

E Deal 7335781311000

J Duckett 013813802727

M Farhann 015815802323

J Felsch 5110561107106777

R Felsch 830083069069

M Fitzgerald 056356303434

R Freeman 2102594280403939

N Freedman 018018006666

S Freedman 038038002121

T Gilbert 022022001515

B Handunneththi 0183818380140140

G Hara 020020005454

Please note: Metropolitan Cup (6th Grade) figures are not included.

S Hasan 0249249000

J Hawksworth 014211421055

M Hinds 28826042892000

H Jamil 027127103434

CSP Kavuri 019919904646

L Kay 0165165033

M Kelly 0225422540210210

T Khalid 011 011

J King 0992992000

R Kingsell 122701823011

A Kouventaris 03792379205757

K Layton 3558562018197215

B Le Bas 4732541301482109191

C McMahon 0372372000

R Malcolm 015481548000

L Marshall 65522287716838206

A Melnyk 01241124105151

C Middleton 8326982781000

Z Mitchell 822523307070

J Moore 02020 022

B Penna 055255208484

J Perera 024922492000

L Plowes 0180180033

E Prideaux 01270127001010

T Reynolds 0103103000

C Ridley 106457016765011

K Saisanas 07878 01616

M Salman 01818 03939

S Shahid 013431343011

R Sidhu 021721706363

B Simpson 16321037312472196

M Simpson 11531443259022

Ben Smith 07575 000

J Smith 033933942125

L Snell 0661661000

D Solway 8236248710723022

C Stefanish 04944940222222

M Talha 058458403030

R Ward 012412407373

N Wijewardene 380301933997164171

HONOUR BOARD AND STATISTICS UPDATE

Dan Solway

New club record holder 10723 runs in all grades

New club record holder 8236 runs in 1st grade

10000 runs in all grades

8000 runs in 1st grade

Jake Cormack

6000 runs in all grades

Zeeshan Ahmed

5000 runs in all grades

2000 runs in 1st grade

Ben Le Bas

3000 runs in all grades

Liam Marshall

200 wickets in all grade

150 wickets in 1st grade

Jehan Bilimoria

200 wickets in all grades

Koby Layton

200 wickets in all grades

Chris Stefanish

200 wickets in all grades

Ryan Freeman

2000 runs in all grades

Ayden Brown

100 wickets in all grades

Justin Felsch

1000 runs in all grades

50 wickets in all grades

Anthony Melnyk

1000 runs in all grades

50 wickets in all grades

James Hawksworth

1000 runs in all grades

Ethan Deal

1000 runs in all grades

Hayden Barrett

50 wickets in all grades

Luca Croft

50 wickets in all grades

Nicolas Freedman

50 wickets in all grades

Gurinder Hara

50 wickets in all grades

Zane Mitchell

50 wickets in all grades

Reagan Sidhu

50 wickets in all grades

ANNUAL REPORTS - OUR HISTORY

Every annual report of our cricket club since its inauguration in 1951 is now bound into A4 volumes for both safe-keeeping and to preserve the rich history of our cricket club. All past and present members - and even those doing research on how cricket developed in the Bankstown region - are welcome to peruse and use these bound copies. While all of the recent annual reports are all still, and will continue to be, available on our website in digital format as pdf files, we will continue to add to these hard copy versions for future reference.

PLAYERS WHO HAVE REPRESENTED WHILE PLAYING FOR BANKSTOWN DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB

The following statistics were added in 2002/03 after extensive work by Michael C. Stephenson and Brian Freedman using available reference sources. Please accept our apologies for any errors or omissions and let us know about them so they can be corrected for future prints.

Player and Year First Represented

AUSTRALIA

G Thomas1960-61

J Thomson1972-73

L Pascoe 1976-77

S Smith1982-83

S Waugh 1984-85

M Waugh 1988-89

W Holdsworth 1992-93

AUSTRALIAN X1

R Briggs1953-54

G Thomas1959-60

D Freedman1992-93

AUSTRALIA ‘A’

S Waugh 1995-96

D Freedman1995-96

S Thompson1995-96

C Richards1998-99

AUSTRALIA UNDER 19

S Waugh 1983-84

M Waugh 1983-84

S Prestwidge1986-87

W Holdsworth 1986-87

N Bracken1995-96

A Bird 2002-03

M Bright2002-03

S Keen 2005-06

D Burns2006-07

B Smith2015-16

L Marshall 2018-19

B Simpsom2019-20

AUSTRALIA INDIGENOUS

Brendan Smith2017-18

Player and Year First Represented

AUSTRALIA UNDER 16

B Dickinson2015-16

T Sowden2015-16

B Simpson2017-18

N Radhakrishan 2017-18

NEW SOUTH WALES

R Amson1952-53

R Briggs1952-53

G Thomas1957-58

R Madden1959-60

J Thomson1972-73

L Pascoe 1974-75

R Vidler1977-78

I Davis 1979-80

S Smith1981-82

R Bower1983-84

S Waugh 1984-85

M Waugh 1985-86

S Small1987-88

W Holdsworth 1988-89

D Freedman1991-92

K Roberts1994-95

S Thompson1994-95

DP Waugh 1995-96

C Richards1995-96

N Bracken1998-99

V Williams 2001-02

A Bird 2005-06

S Keen 2009-10

D Solway2019-20

N McAndrew2019-20

Player and Year First Represented

NSW COUNTRY/ACT

M Phelps2014-15

N McAndrew2014-15

K White 2015-16

D Solway2016-17

B Taylor2018-19

NSW 2ND X1 / FUTURES LEAGUE

R Briggs1954-55

R Nay 1955-56

L Pascoe 1973-74

B Thebridge1973-74

R Bower1982-83

B McKirdy1983-84

M Waugh 1984-85

W Holdsworth 1987-88

S Prestwidge1989-90

P Talbot1989-90

D Freedman1991-92

S Thompson1992-93

K Roberts1993-94

S Pope 1994-95

DP Waugh 1995-96

M Betsey2000-01

P Maraziotis2001-02

V Williams 2001-02

M Bright2002-03

A Bird 2002-03

S Keen 2008-09

D Burns2008-09

J Bird 2009-10

C Small2010-11

P Wells 2013-14

D Solway2014-15

Player and Year First Represented

NSW Twenty20/Sydney Thunder

S Keen 2008-09

N McAndrew2015-16

NSW Colts

R Nay 1955-56

B Bates 1961-62

R LeFevre 1965-66

I Gorman1968-69

T Radanovic1968-69

L Pascoe 1968-69

B Thebridge1971-72

R Vidler 1979-80

G Pitty 1979-80

R Bower1979-80

S Smith 1979-80

B McKirdy1979-80

G Crowfoot1983-84

S Waugh 1984-85

M Waugh 1984-85

D Freedman1984-85

S Prestwidge1986-87

W Holdsworth 1988-89

S Thompson1992-93

G Trevena1994-95

S Deitz 1995-96

N Bracken1995-96

J Allsopp2001-02

A Bird 2002-03

M Bright2003-04

Player and Year First Represented

NSW UNDER 17

C Hughes1986-87

B Hugo 1986-87

S Collins1990-91

D J Waugh 1991-92

G Trevena1991-92

S Deitz 1991-92

S McKiernan1995-96

L Piper 1995-96

B Roworth1999-00

J Allsopp2000-01

S Jamieson2001-02

S Keen 2002-03

P Darwen2003-04

R Beaven2003-04

C Bennett2004-05

D Burns 2004-05

C Ridley2004-05

C Small 2004-05

A Sams 2005-06

B Smith 2009-10

D Solway2011-12

A Brown2012-13

D Hayes2014-15

B Smith 2014-15

D Lozinski

T Sowden 2014-15 2016-17

L Marshall 2017-18

Z Ahmed2018-19

NSW UNDER 16

S Grant 1983-84

W Holdsworth 1984-85

G Lovett 1984-85

D P Waugh 1984-85

Player and Year First Represented NSW UNDER 19

S Waugh 1981-82

M Waugh 1982-83

D Freedman1982-83

S Prestwidge1985-86

D Mitchell1985-86

W Holdsworth 1986-87

G Lovett 1986-87

R Luc 1991-92

G Trevena1992-93

V Williams 1994-95

N Bracken1994-95

S McKiernan1996-97

K Beazleigh1997-98

T Brown1999-00

B Roworth2001-02

J Allsopp2001-02

M Bright2002-03

A Bird 2002-03

S Jamieson2003-04

P Darwen2004-05

S Keen 2005-06

D Burns 2005-06

C Ridley2006-07

C Small 2006-07

A Sams 2007-08

B Smith 2011-12

D Sams 2011-12

J Cormack

Brendan Smith 2012-13 2015-16

T Sowden2016-17

W Marshall 2017-18

L Marshall 2019-20

B Simpson2019-20

Z Ahmed2019-20

E Deal

R Kingsell 2020-21 2023-24

PLAYERS WHO HAVE SCORED DOUBLE CENTURIES IN 1ST GRADE

PLAYERS WHO HAVE SCORED 5000 RUNS IN ALL GRADES

Solway 2008/09 – 2023/24

M Grant 1981/82 – 2012/13

Spotswood 1977/78 – 2016/17

D P Bourne 1960/61 – 1980/81

A O’Brien 1995/96 – 2016/17

D P Waugh 1982/83 – 1997/98

S Thompson 1987/88 – 2009/10

G Crowfoot 1975/76 – 1995/96

C Richards 1996/97 – 2022/23

MC Stephenson 1962/63 – 1984/85

J Bourne 1996/97 – 2019/20

DJ Waugh 1990/91 – 2010/11 25343682732.50

C Ridley 2003/04 – 2020/21 22225676234.32

B Urry 1951/52 – 1974/75

C Gane 1998/99 – 2010/11

A Divall 1980/81 – 1996/97 23618629628.88

J Theobald 1951/52 – 1970/71 23336628131.88

S Dignam 1984/85 – 2003/04 25425626327.34

A Smith 1990/91 – 2004/05 23014613228.38

R Vidler 1972/73 – 1986/87 27438592425.10

G Thomas 1953/54 – 1965/66 14230586152.33

A Ellis 1953/54 – 1968/69

D Moy 1995/96 – 2016/17 22324552728.02

L Reece 2005/6 – 2017/18 21425544828.82

P Wells 2011/12 – 2016/17 12820540750.00

D Mitchell 1982/83 – 1993/94 19526520230.84

S Cusick 1981/82 – 2005/06 25341519624.50

T McDonald 1972/73 – 1986/87 21320512726.56

Z Ahmed 2015/16 – 2023/24 16713512229.43

K Roberts 1993/94 – 2000/01 13519510844.03

PLAYERS WHO HAVE SCORED CENTURIES IN 1ST GRADE

score/sopposition season

D Solway

154 * Sutherland 2013/14

177Sutherland 2014/15

184 * St George 2014/15

128 * Western Suburbs 2014/15

101Hawkesbury 2016/17

110Cambelltown2016/17

102Mosman 2017/18

168 North Sydney2017/18

177St George 2017/18

174Northern Districts2017/18

125Sutherland 2017/18

104 * Central Coast2017/18

146Cambelltown2018/19

118 *Gordon 2018/19

107St George 2018/19

106Northern Districts2018/19

122Campbelltown2019/20

109St George 2021/22

113 UNSW 2021/22

134Campbelltown2022/23

109 Mosman 2022/23

137Hawkesbury 2022/23

137* Fairfield-Liverpool 2023/24

149Sutherland 2023/24

C Richards

154Balmain 1997/98

115St George 1997/98

104St George 1999/00

108 Fairfield 1999/00

117Balmain 2000/01

130Northern District2000/01

112 Uni of NSW 2002/03

125Gordon 2002/03

126Northern District2002/03

162*Randwick Petersham203/04

120St George 2004/05

101Balmain 2005/05

123Eastern Suburbs2005/06

140St George 2005/06

121 Sydney University 2006/07

111 *Gordon 2006/07

100 *Randwick Petersham2006/07

113 Sydney University 2006/07

115 *Randwick Petersham2007/08

P Maraziotis

109 *Hawkesbury 2000/01

138 *Manly 2000/01

119 *Sutherland 2000/01

115 * Uni of NSW 2001/02

110 *Northern District2001/02

137Campbelltown2001/02

135St George 2001/02

162 *Blacktown 2002/03

106 *Parramatta 2002/03

125 *Campbelltown2002/03

186Gordon 203/04

101Campbelltown Camden2003/04

102 *Mosman 2003/04

score/sopposition season

K Roberts

115 *Campbelltown1993/94

134Balmain 1993/94

131North Sydney1993/94

139Parramatta 1993/94

160Penrith 1994/95

133 *Petersham Marrickville1994/95

134Northern Districts1995/96

119 Sydney University 1995/96

107St George 1996/97

116 *St George 1997/98

119Gordon 1997/98

102Hawkesbury 1998/99

163Campbelltown1998/99

P Wells

157 *North Sydney2012/13

107 *Sydney 2012/13

121 *North Sydney2013/14

150St George 2014/15

138 Manly-Warringah 2014/15

106 *Eastern Suburbs2014/15

109 Manly-Warringah 2014/15

190 *St George 2014/15

150 *Blacktown 2015/16

146 *Mosman 2015/16

114 *North Sydney2015/16

103Sydney 2015/16

152Blacktown 2015/16

127St George 2016/17

170Eastern Suburbs2016/17

100Sutherland 2016/17

G Thomas

139 *Paddington 1956/57

110 *Petersham Marrickville1957/58

125North Sydney1958/59

113 *Gordon 1960/61

155 * Northern District1961/62

151Paddington 1962/63

147University 1962/63

100Mosman 1962/63

143Cumberland 1963/64

105Glebe 1963/64

102Paddington 1963/64

162Petersham Marrickville1964/65

R Bower

100 * Petersham Marrickville1982/83

101 * Cumberland 1982/83

101 * Northern District1982/83

109 * Uni of NSW 1983/84

122Sutherland 1983/84

143Mosman 1983/84

115St George 1984/85

116 Uni of NSW 1984/85

124Gordon 1985/86

176Balmain 1985/86

Dean Waugh

100 Fairfield 1988/89

125 * Campbelltown1991/92 114Mosman 1992/93 110St George 1992/93 104Balmain 1994/95 167Campbelltown1995/96

score/sopposition season

106 * Waverley 1995/96

J Giffen 109 Waverley 1951/52

1953/54

1953/54 103University 1955/56

124Paddington 1955/56

117University 1956/57

118Northern District1956/57

1983/84

1984/85

1985/86

1985/86

1987/88

Northern Districts 1994/95

Petersham2003/04

1997/98

1997/98

1967/68

1967/68

PLAYERS WHO HAVE SCORED CENTURIES IN 1ST GRADE

score/sopposition season

R Briggs

151University 1951/52

114Gordon 1951/52

103Cumberland 1951/52

124Northern District1953/54

140Petersham Marrickville1957/58

S Waugh

127 * University 1983/84

110 Waverley 1984/85

136 * Gordon 1984/85

141University 1992/93

182Northern District1995/96

C Gane

141Balmain 2006/07

116Blacktown 2006/07

129Eastern Suburbs2006/07

113Randwick Petersham2008/09

144Blacktown 2008/09

J Burke

116 * Sydney University 2013/14

114 Fairfield-Liverpool 2009/10

100 Manly Warringah 2009/10

147 * Western Suburbs 2010/11

104Blacktown 2011/12

100 Sydney University 2016/17

A Divall

113University 1986/87

109 Western Suburbs 1990/91

102Penrith 1991/92

116 Uni of NSW 1993/94

J Cassell

133 Sydney University 2008/09

132North Sydney2008/09

164 * St George 2008/09

114 Fairfield-Liverpool 2009/10

N Carruthers

150 Hawkesbury 2019/20

107 Parramatta 2019/20

120Northern Districts2018/19

112 Sutherland 2020/21

101Sydney 2021/22

103 *Northern District2022/23

S Smith

162St George 1981/82

181 * Western Suburbs 1987/88

151Mosman 1988/89

R Amson

127Cumberland 1952/53

103 * North Sydney1952/53

116Glebe 1952/53

B Urry

101 * Manly 1953/54

103Cumberland 1960/61

112 Waverley 1964/65

score/sopposition season

S Deitz

122Petersham Marrickville1996/97

109 * Hawkesbury 1996/97

101 * Sutherland 1996/97

Daniel Waugh

104 * Uni of NSW 1996/97

105 * Mosman 1997/98

101 * Western Suburbs 2006/07

K White

156 Manly-Warringah 2014/15

106Randwick Petersham2014/15

105 Eastern Suburbs 2014/15

M Brown

103Sutherland 2016/17

104 Eastern Suburbs 2016/17

161Gordon 2016/17

126 *North Sydney2018/19

J Cormack

126 Sydney 2015/16

111 St George 2017/18

101 Eastern Suburbs2020/21

102 Parramatta 2020/21

M Stoneman

142 * Mosman 2015/16 117 Eastern Suburbs 2015/16

K Rogers

103Northern District1956/57

101University 1959/60

R Madden

130 * Glebe 1958/59

135Petersham Marrickville1959/60

J

Marrickville1979/80

Fairfield 1994/95

Marrickville1994/95 D Magee

133Penrith 2004/05

2010/11 C Small

District2011/12

* Fairfield-Liverpool 2012/13

District2011/12

* Manly-Warringah 2013/14

Marrickville1999/00

* Petersham Marrickville1999/00

O’Brien

Van Deinsen

2002/03

2003/04

* Fairfield Liverpool 2006/07

Keen

Stretton

McAndrew

2010/11

2015/16

District2019/20

Waite

Western Suburbs 2018/19

* Balmain 1956/57

* Balmain 1964/65

1966/67

2019/20

Suburbs 1968/69

* North Sydney1974/75

Thorpe

Vidler

1975/76

* University 1977/78

(Emu) Hall

* Parramatta 1993/94

Smith

* Gordon 1994/95

Ahmed

UTS North Sydney2021/22

Hawkesbury 2022/23

UTS North Sydney2023/24

PLAYERS WHO HAVE TAKEN 200 WICKETS IN 1ST GRADE

Holdsworth1986/87 – 2001/02

Urry 1951/52 – 1963/64

M Betsey 1999/00 – 2005/06

PLAYERS WHO HAVE TAKEN 300 WICKETS IN ALL GRADES

A Bird 2002/03 – 2021/22

G Spotswood 1977/78 – 2014/15

B Urry 1951/52 – 1974/75

G Trevena 1989/90 – 2001/02

K Hall 1990/01 – 2006/07 38141338380880423.16 N Morrissey 1957/58 – 1966/67 1781343354507314.33

W Silas 1951/52 – 1970/71 132591349497014.24

S Cusick 1981/82 – 2001/02

T Crameri 1982/83 – 1997/98

B Van Blerk 1991/92 – 2007/08 2747553334842425.22

N McAndrew 2012/13 – 2021/22 1873308326705621.64

J Burke 2009/10 – 2016/17 2223621318598118.80

N Seach 1955/56 – 1967/68 1602283313526616.82

T Radanovic 1968/69 – 1977/78

PLAYERS WHO HAVE TAKEN 9 WICKETS IN 1ST GRADE

NAME SCORE OPPONENT SEASON

K Gray 9/43 Petersham Marrickville 1959/60

L Pascoe 9/59 Sydney 1978/79

A Bird 9/33 Manly 2003/04

PLAYERS WHO HAVE TAKEN 8 WICKETS IN 1ST GRADE

NAME SCORE OPPONENT SEASON

K Lang 8/100 North Sydney 1952/53

R Holland 8/55 University 1970/71

B Thebridge 8/53 Randwick 1973/74

L Pascoe 8/57 Sutherland 1978/79

S Thompson 8/29 Fairfield 1993/94

D Tuffey 8/36 Randwick-Petersham 2012/13

D Burns 8/38 Northern District 2022/23

PLAYERS WHO HAVE TAKEN 7 WICKETS IN 1ST GRADE

NAME SCORE OPPONENT SEASON

L Pascoe 7/24 Sutherland 1975/76 7/45 University of NSW 1975/76 7/76 University of NSW 1976/77

D Freedman 7/68 Fairfield Liverpool 2006/07 7/102 University 1992/93 7/143 Manly 1997/98

J Thomson 7/34 Gordon 1968/69 7/44 Gordon 1972/73

W Holdsworth 7/40 Mosman 1995/96 7/38 North Sydney 1997/98 7/62 North Sydney 1999/200

B McKirdy 7/46 University of NSW 1982/83 7/33 Mosman 1982/83

J Burke 7/58 Fairfield-Liverpool 2016/17

C Price 7/21 Manly 2009/10

B

PLAYERS WHO HAVE TAKEN 6 WICKETS IN 1ST GRADE

W

B

PLAYERS WHO HAVE TAKEN 6 WICKETS IN 1ST GRADE

P Talbot

6/56

Northern Districts 1988/89 6/58 Penrith 1988/89 6/45 Fairfield 1990/91

A Bird 6/21 St George 2007/08 6/75 University of Sydney 2002/03 6/65 Northern District 2009/10

S Thompson 6/35 Balmain 1997/98 6/104 Mosman 1998/99 6/26 Hawkesbury 2003/04

K Hall (Snr) 6/27 Randwick 1962/63 6/32 Paddington 1963/64

N Morrissey 6/36 North Sydney 1963/64 6/37 Paddington 1963/64

I King 6/47 Northern Districts 1967/68 6/72 Cumberland 1967/68

G Pitty 6/79 Penrith 1978/79 6/92 Petersham 1984/85

K Hall (Emu) 6/75 North Sydney 1990/91 6/31 Parramatta 1992/93

N Bracken 6/49 Balmain 1995/96 6/14 Western Suburbs 1998/99

M Betsey 6/34 North Sydney 2001/02 6/31 North Sydney 2001/02

H Dannaoui 6/48 Campbelltown 2002/03 6/33 Hawkesbury 2002/03

J Burke 6/29 Campbelltown 2011/12 6/74 Northern District 2011/12

M Phelps 6/9 Sydney University 2013/14 6/41 Mosman 2011/12

N McAndrew 6/65 University of NSW 2014/15 6/17 Eastern Suburbs 2015/16

K Layton 6/11 Blacktown 2023/24

D Bull 6/21 Western Suburbs 1992/93

L Marshall 6/22 Northern District 2023/24

D Cathro 6/25 Glebe 1963/64

K Ferguson 6/37 Balmain 1965/66

B Thebridge 6/39 Mosman 1971/72

K McDonald 6/41 Cumberland 1974/75

J Bird 6/44 St George 2009/10

R Lamaro 6/46 Sutherland 1976/77

R Felsch 6/50 Blacktown 2022/23

G Smith 6/53 University of NSW 2002/03

S Waugh 6/53 Sydney 1984/85

B Lewis 6/57 Balmain 1964/65

W Pickles 6/58 Cumberland 1960/61

C Sinclair 6/61 Waverley 1984/85

T Sullivan 6/61 Hawkesbury 1985/86

M Waugh 6/63 Balmain 1985/86

J Hayward 6/65 St George 2014/15

C Hogan 6/71 Sydney 1981/82

B Taylor 6/73 Parramatta 2018/19

R Le Fevre 6/89 North Sydney 1965/66

LEADING ALL-ROUNDERS IN 1ST GRADE

MOST DISMISSALS BY A WICKETKEEPER IN 1ST GRADE

LEADING WICKETKEEPER DISMISSALS 2023/24

WINNERS OF FINALS MATCH MEDALS

Benaud Medal 1st Grade

1993/94 Steve Small

1994/95 Scott Grant

1999/00 Matthew Betsey

2006/07 Brett Van Deinsen

2013/14 Mitchell Phelps

Michael Bevan Medal 1st Grade Limited Overs

2006/07 Corey Richards

2014/15 Philip Wells

2015/16 Jarrad Burke

Shane Lee Medal Poidevin-Gray Shield

2003/04 Aaron Bird

2008/09 Anthony Sams

2013/14 Ethan Leten

Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup Medal

2020/21 Daniel Solway

Jack Moran Medal Second Grade

2023/24 Gurinder Hara

Kevin Cunningham Medal A.W. Green Shield

1998/99 Brad Roworth

1999/00 Peter Dugmore

2002/03 Simon Keen

2003/04 Ryan Beaven

2009/10 Evan Goodrick

2010/11 Damien Mortimer

2013/14 Alexander Schipp

2014/15 Creedence King

CLUB RECORDS

Qualifications: Batting - 7 Innings and 250 Runs, Bowling - 15 Wickets

HIGHEST BATTING AVERAGE BY GRADE

First Grade P Wells

Second

Third

Fourth

HIGHEST BATTING AGGREGATE BY GRADE

First

Second

Third

Fourth

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE BY GRADE

First

C. Shires J Chippendale

BEST BOWLING AVERAGE BY GRADE

CLUB STATISTICS 2010/11 - 2023/24

MOST WICKETS BY GRADE

MOST DISMISSALS BY WICKETKEEPER BY GRADE

BEST WICKETKEEPING PERFORMANCE 2010/11

- 2023/24

CLUB STATISTICS 2010/11 - 2023/24

1ST GRADE

BEST BATTING AVERAGEMOST RUNS IN SEASONBEST BOWLING AVERAGEMOST WICKETS IN SEASON

2010/11S Keen38.88S Keen 622J Burke18.41J

2011/12C Small29.50N Carruthers488J Burke13.39J

2012/13P Wells56.50P Wells 791 D Tuffey 8.58J

2013/14J Burke39.88J Burke 638M Phelps18.97M

2014/15P Wells101.80P Wells 1527J Burke17.98J

2015/16P Wells66.10P Wells 1388N McAndrew17.79J Burke 50 2016/17M Brown46.52M Brown977J Burke17.08J

2017/18D Solway79.25D Solway1268N McAndrew24.75N McAndrew

2018/19M Brown51.80D Solway841B Taylor19.93B

2019/20M Brown50.33N Carruthers969L Marshall13.10B

2020/21J Cormack43.35N Carruthers820N McAndrew17.05B Taylor 49 2021/22D Solway55.00D Solway715L Marshall25.35L Marshall 26 2022/23D Solway86.64D Solway953G Balderson17.45R Felsch 37 20234/24D Solway43.92D Solway571L Marshall16.68L

1ST GRADE HIGHEST PARTNERSHIPS

WKTSCOREOPPOSITION BATSMAN 1 SCORE BATSMAN 2 SCORE YEAR 1246Paddington G Thomas 151A Kelly 85 1962/63 2336St George D Solway 177P Wells 150 2014/15 3314 u/fWestern DistrictsS Smith 181S Small 123 1987/88 4205Sydney P Wells 103J Cormack126 2015/16 5189Northern DistrictN McAndrew109B Taylor 90 2019/20 6164North SydneyS Small 80S Grant 80 1994/95 7213Northern DistrictA Bird 116C Small 112 2011/12 8147Penrith M Betsey 83G Smith 83 2003/04 9118Parramatta W Holdsworth71K Hall 44 1993/94 10155 u/fNorth SydneyP Wells 121noM Phelps80no 2013/14

2ND GRADE

BEST BATTING AVERAGEMOST RUNS IN SEASONBEST BOWLING AVERAGEMOST WICKETS IN SEASON

2010/11L Reece 33.92L Reece407M Phelps 23.00M Phelps 33 2011/12J Cormack41.86A O’Brien356A Jamieson16.92A

Paddison50.60D Magee438D Harding10.53A Jamieson

2013/14M Challita37.80M Challita378A Jamieson17.95A Jamieson

2014/15M Farag 53.71L Reece646A Paddison13.00A Jamieson

2015/16D Hayes 34.87D Hayes523A Jamieson20.19A Jamieson 31 2016/17M Simpson37.13M

Nicotra35.00M Hinds413T Clark 8.85T Clark 33 2020/21N Wijewardne65.80M Singh507M Bursa 22.27T Clark 21 2021/22J Brockley34.58J Brockley415R Ward 16.60M Bursa

2ND GRADE HIGHEST PARTNERSHIPS

WKTSCOREOPPOSITION BATSMAN 1 SCORE BATSMAN 2 SCORE YEAR 1338North Sydney G Baldwin168noA Smith 147 1997/98 2274Western Suburbs J Bourne 179G Scuglia 87no 2002/03 3227Hawkesbury M Hinds 104R Freeman 131no 2022/23 4186Manly B Smith 95DJ Waugh 91 1993/94 5189Sutherland R Freeman168*C Middleton 89 2023/24 6236North Sydney S Cusick 129V Williams 96 1994/95 7202Manly G Spotswood138D Freedman 63 1986/87 8229Sydney Uni D Magee 162noG Trevena 59no 1996/97 999Manly S Wise 24A Smith 72no 2002/03 10110Mosman M Grant 64noS Burt 65 2006/07

3RD GRADE

3RD GRADE HIGHEST PARTNERSHIPS

4TH GRADE

2013/14D Hayes51.67J Hawkesworth415M Lozinski26.63M Lozinski 14 2014/15A O’Brien35.45A O’Brien390T Garg 13.00T Sowden 22 2015/16K Grove38.50D Loy 370D Heward 18.88D Heward 25 2016/17J Grove39.33J Grove 354M Singh 20.80R Ward 19 2017/18C Cotter44.13C Cotter 353C Stefanish12.95C Stefanish39 2018/19C Wilkinson30.10C Wilkinson301N Wijewardene17.25M Hossain 17 2019/20D Khan29.00D Khan 290B Pearson 7.93A Melnyk 18 2020/21A Raina17.70J Perera 187B Polkinghorne8.81B Polkinghorne21 2021/22M Condon31.40S Shahid 235R Bhat 14.76R Bhat 17 2022/23J Bilimoria37.14S Shahid 353N Hebeston14.58R Sidhu 19 2023/24J Cormack46.71J Hawksworth433A Melnyk 13.67C Stefanish36

4TH GRADE HIGHEST PARTNERSHIPS

WKTSCOREOPPOSITION BATSMAN 1 SCORE BATSMAN 2 SCORE YEAR 1211Mosman M Davis 118MJ Stephenson81 1981/82 2175Campbelltown-CamdenR Patel 68S Shahid 113 2022/23 3232Gordon C Dunn 115noB Christensen141 2006/07 4156Penrith M Coton 569P Dugmore 101 1999/2000 5182Balmain V Williams 109M Smith 50 1993/94 6181Manly R Schultz 100K Ferris 79 1993/94 7126Balmain D Ward 59noJ Way 150no1999/2000 8165North Sydney B Christensen110noJ Cormack 74no 2008/09 985Manly s/f L Tucker 50A Sidie 33 1999/2000 10154 Gordon J Bilimoria 100noR Williams 66no 2012/13

CLUB STATISTICS 2010/11 - 2023/24

5TH GRADE

BEST BATTING AVERAGEMOST RUNS IN SEASONBEST BOWLING AVERAGE MOST WICKETS IN SEASON

2010/11E Leten 44.78E Leten430L Condron13.94T Sims 21 2011/12P Yannopoulos36.13P Yannopoulos289J Bilimoria14.71S Khan 22

2012/13D Hayes50.88D Hayes407D Lozinski14.50D Lozinski24 2013/14B Dickinson35.71G Spotswood392L Maloney14.78L Maloney18 2014/15H Probert39.36H Probert315L Maloney19.20L Maloney25

2015/16M Kelly 32.91M Kelly373M Kelly 15.60M Kelly 30

2016/17M Kelly 41.33M Kelly496M Kelly 14.92M Kelly 26

2017/18H Brett 66.43A Kouventaris632D Carr 14.65A Kouventaris36 2018/19A Kouventaris28.78J Perera267N Hebeston9.10 B Handunneththi25 2019/20J Perera37.50J Perera300L Hewitt9.78 M Clissold13 2020/21S Shahid48.66S Shahid328H Singh17.00C Fitzjohn 18 2021/22J King 41.20T Ramage312M Farhann20.56N Setter 12 2022/23M Fitzgerald22.57M Talha234M Talha11.11M Talha 18 2023/24J Ashburner49.71J Ashburner348S Cordingly18.56S Cordingly18

5TH GRADE HIGHEST PARTNERSHIPS

WKTSCOREOPPOSITION BATSMAN 1 SCORE BATSMAN 2 SCOREYEAR

1223Western Suburbs E Leten 135D Solway 101no2010/11 2188Penrith M Baker 69B Christensen 1532005/06 3175Parramatta J Hilder 209I Ridley 63 2010/11 4248u/f Fairfield P Crossan 148L Stevenson 1001994/95 5210Randwick A Dunn 107D Angel 1021984/85 6149Western Suburbs H Probert 99noM Simpson 52no2014/15 7152* Fairfield-Liverpool G Spotswood120noM Clifton 62no2009/10 889Sydney F Bailey 56L Plowes 45 2023/24 973Western Suburbs D Allsopp 53noP Henry 16no2012/13 1078Randwick P Taylor 34noA Klumpp 37 1996/97

AW GREEN SHIELD

BEST BATTING AVERAGE MOST RUNS IN SEASONBEST BOWLING AVERAGEMOST WICKETS IN SEASON

2010/11D Mortimer 43.86D Solway 337D Mortimer 9.41D Mortimer17 2011/12D Loy 43.20D Loy 216D Loy 15.56D Loy 9 2012/13Brendan Smith46.17Brendan Smith277M Lozinski 8.00M Lozinski17 2013/14Brendan Smith47.43B Le Bas 343D Lozinski 6.53D Lozinski 19 2014/15L Hawksworth36.86L Hawksworth258D Heward 7.67D Heward 21 2015/16T Sowden 42.40T Sowden 212T Sowden 10.20T Sowden 15 2016/17Z Ahmed 33.00Z Ahmed 198J Eljed 13.44N Setter 11 2017/18Z Ahmed 57.50Z Ahmed 345M Brockwell 17.45M Brockwell11 2018/19M Weerasingham50.50B Handunneththi117B Pearson 22.15B Pearson11 2019/20A Raina 43.38A Raina 347I Raza 16.67I Raza 15 2020/21L Malcolm 40.33A Raina 189M Weerasingham13.40M Weerasingham10 2021/22J Smith 53.60J Smith 268H Singh 23.00R Sidhu 8 2022/23J Ashburner31.86J Ashburner 223R Sidhu 22.00R Sidhu 11 2023/24L Kay 27.50L Kay 165T Gilbert 12.00T Gilbert 14

POIDEVIN-GRAY SHIELD

BEST BATTING AVERAGEMOST

2011/12D Solway58.67T Burns287L Condron15.40D Bush

14217161320111742

117151212718645

78414161131944

9115413163

9141136105

MEDIA COVERAGE

Bankstown District Cricket Club enjoys a great relationship with our local media - with content provided by David Clifton (words) with David Clifton, Gamini Perera, Anthony Campbell and Marty Klumpp (images). This page is just a sample of this season’s coverage afforded our great sport and Bulldogs cricket by the Bankstown Torch, while pages following are the reports we send to the newspaper.

MATCH REPORTS

23rd Sept 2023

‘Holla for a Marshall’ - with 6 wickets including a hat-trick

In a welcome return to Sydney Premier Grade Cricket for season 2023-24, Bankstown Memorial and Graeme Thomas Ovals were presented in magnificent condition thanks to curator Nick Mamolis - primed and ready for a double-header blockbuster of Twenty20 cricket across both grounds. Bankstown welcomed some new and promoted players to this season’s roster.

Angus Campbell joins the Bulldogs from Wollongong, the ACT’s Jake Smith has earned promotion from the Poivedin Gray Shield and AW Green pathway and Ayden Brown who returns to the kennel after several years playing on the South Coast.

In game one 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. The other Manly batsmen did their best to force the runs, but even though the fielding wasn’t to the usual Bulldog standard with a few dropped catches, the bowling was generally very tight indeed. Wickets were spread amongst 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. Between them, they worked the ball around but also sent it flying over the fences. With Ethan Deal (23no) and Angus Campbell (17no) both showing common sense and big hitting when needed, 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 Marshall to strike with a great forward-diving catch to speedster Brad Simpson at cover. Then opening bowler Marshall 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. With impeccable accuracy and guile coupled with speed, the batsmen had no answer and skied balls regularly - which were all taken as catches. Northern District managed to attain 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 - with Deal belting one of the largest 6s seen at Memorial Oval for some time - easily clearing the top roof of the Kevin McCormack grandstand. The Bulldogs home in the final over on 5 for 134.

Poidevin-Gray Under 21 v Wests Captain and ‘keeper Ethan Deal won the toss and elected to bat first against Wests in Sunday’s 50-over fixture. While the Bankstown run rate was adequate and consistent at around 3.5, it was bolstered by the fact the Dogs weren’t losing too many wickets along the way. Opener Brian Handunneththi put on a solid 30 runs before being bowled. Ryan Freeman was next in and really provided a backbone for all the Dogs’ batsmen. Pairing with Deal (16), Angus Campbell (17) and then Jake Smith (15) and also the tail, Freeman stood up and showed the true class and skill he possesses as an outstanding young batsman. Freeman sent the ball hard along the deck into the fence 7 times as well as flying over the Memorial fence for a few towering maximums which delighted the small but vocal crowd. With no further losses of wicket, Freeman and Smith started to up the ante in the 40th over, and got the run rate to 4 per over with the total at 4/152 and Freeman eyeing off a well-deserved century, until Smith fell caught at deep mid-wicket and the Dogs now 5/178. Joined by Rahid Alam, the pair continued to torment the Wests bowlers until Alam was bowled (13), bringing new recruit Mitch Constantinou (7) from Wollongong - to the creasewith Freeman now on 92 and pushing the run rate closer to 5. Freeman went on to get a thoroughly deserved 100 off 116 balls in the penultimate over before holing out in the final over to deep mid wicket - but not before laying the platform to take the Dogs to a very defendable 9/232. I n reply, and despite losing an early wicket, the Magpies batting lineup was simply too strong as they maintained a strong run rate throughout their innings. The Magpies dominated the Dogs’ with Australian Under 19’s star Harjas Singh compiling a stunning century (115 off 97) as his side reached 4/234off just 39 overs.

Second grade

The Mitch Hinds-led seconds had a great first-up win against Randwick-Petersham in a one-day 50-over match at Bankstown Memorial Oval. Losing the toss and fielding first, the Dog’s bowlers toiled quite well, with Gurinder Hara (2 for 42 off 10) and Koby Layton (2 for 84 off 10) the pick. Club debutante Mitch Constantinou bowled well despite not claiming any wickets (0 for 29 off 10) and showed his promise as an opening bowler. Chasing 236 for victory off 50 overs, the Dog’s batsmen showed great determination, with Hinds and Alex Kouventaris providing the backbone for the win. Hinds was all class as he worked the ball around the magnificent Bankstown Oval for 74. But it was Kouventaris who truly set the platform with a stunning 89 off just 94 balls - with 38 runs from

boundaries. While the tail failed to wag, the base had been set and the Dogs snuck home for a win in the final over.

Third grade

New captain Ethan Prideaux won the toss and sent Randwick-Petersham in to bat at Petersham Oval. While the opposition scored well, wickets fell at regular intervals with Bailey Penna (4 for 34 off 8) and Luca Croft (3 for 35 off 9) being the pick of the bowlers as Randwick-Petersham achieved 9 for 257 off their allotted 50 overs. Unfortunately, only Tomas Cordingley stood up with a sterling half-century (57) but he didn’t receive the support needed for the Dogs to chase down a solid score. The Dogs limped to be all out for 193 - 64 runs shy of the total needed.

Fourth grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jehan Bilimoria lost the toss and bowled. While the opening bowlers were wicketless, they had applied plenty of pressure, and Praneel Kavuri (2 for 27 off 10) and Anthony Melnyk (2 for 48 off 10) were the main wicket takers as RandwickPetersham crawled to 6 for 187 off their 50 overs. In reply, the Dogs’ batsmen struggled until Melnyk took charge with what was an ultimately matchwinning 65 off 99 balls. Melnyk was well supported by Matt Fitzgerald with 35 (off 49) and together they laid the platform for a slightly shaky but deserved win in the 48th over at 7 for 188.

Fifth grade

At Kensington Oval, the Tim Croft-led fifths won the toss and sent RandwickPetersham into bat. Most of the opposition batsmen got good starts and most Dog’s bowlers snared wickets. But, it was the wily and very deceptive Chris Stefanish who dominated with 6 wickets for 43 runs and tore apart the Randwick-Petersham middle order and tail batsmen. Stefanish was too sharp and created havoc - but it wasn’t enough as Randwick-Petersham managed to reach 238 and be all out after their 50 overs. Chasing 239 to win, only ‘keeper Frasier Bailey stood tall with an excellent 73 off just 81 balls to keep the Dogs’ hopes alive. Unfortunately, Bailey didn’t receive the support needed to chase the total, with the Dogs all out for 188 in the 44th over.

30th Sept 2023

T20 wobbles for the Dogs

After a stellar opening round the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs came back to earth with a thud losingTwenty20 matches on Saturday and Sunday. In Saturday’s match against Parramatta, captain Daniel Solway lost the toss and bowled. While the wickets were shared amongst, returned player Ayden Brown shone with two wickets for just 19 runs. Unfortunately, the Parramatta batsmen found the line and length they liked and

sent balls flying, even though there was some late control by the Dogs’ bowlers. Chasing 196 to win, the Dogs came deceptively close - despite low scores by most batsmen. However, it was their scoring rate that kept Bankstown in the hunt. Indeed, ‘keeper Ethan Deal did his best to get the Dogs across the line with 45 off just 25 and really make Parramatta worry. However, it was a bridge too far and the Dogs fell short by just 18 runs.

In the second game against Mosman on Sunday, a similar fate awaited the Dogs. This was a must-win game for both sides with the victor gaining a place in the Twenty20 semi-finals. The Bulldogs lost the toss and were sent into bat. Solway and Niran Wijewardene put on a display of power hitting and deft glances which got the large local crowd excited with a brilliant partnership of 78 runs off just 59 balls. Wijewardene was unlucky to fall on 49 (off 30 balls) after holing out attempting to keep the runs flowing. Solway (65 no) was joined by Deal (18 no) and the pair also kept the runs flowing, with a partnership of 51 off just 29 balls and helping to set what seemed a very defendable total of 3/167. However, the Mosman openers took apart most of the Dog’s bowling and made the Dog’s total look potentially meagre. Young leg spinner Jake Smith was not overawed, and while wicketless, showed tremendous promise with 0 for 23 off 4 overs. Liam Marshall, Brad Simpson and Justin Felsch took the wickets, which only temporarily slowed the onslaught with Mosman passing the total in the 16th over.

7th Oct 2023

Dogs’ captain steers them home with an unbeaten century - including a one-day match clean sweep

At Bankstown Oval on Saturday, captain Daniel Solway won the toss and elected to bowl first. While the bowlers controlled some of the big-hitting Fairfield Liverpool Lions they conceded too many sundries (33), effectively adding ‘another batsman’ to the Fairfield team. Nevertheless, constant pressure from the Dogs’ bowlers earnt some rewards with Justin Felsch earning his 2 for 44 with an excellent LBW to remove former Bulldog and short-form specialist Nick Carruthers. Ayden Brown chimed in well with 2 for 51 off his 10 overs. While the Lions never dominated the bowling, they did move the score along consistently - reaching

5 for 274 off their allotted 50 overs.

In reply, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs started reasonably well, and despite the ball moving around, kept their focus until Zeeshaan Ahmed fell on 10 and was followed soon after by Mitch Hinds (5). At 2 for 61, victory seemed and was a long way off, and both Solway and Ryan Freeman buckled down to the task. When Freeman fell on 26 and Solway was joined by the middle order who all did their job; Niran Wijewardene (20), Ethan Deal (21) and Angus Campbell (19) adopted the mantra, either hit hard or give Solway the strike! Solway used his impeccable skill and experience to have a chanceless innings that was simply all class. Solway was in control the whole time and genuinely looked a cut above the Lions’ attack. He attained his 50 - but the job was nowhere near done. Then Solway reached his century, and the prospects of a Dogs’ win grew as he let the willow did the barking. Solway reached an unbeaten 137 off 152 balls, including 8 fours and 2 sixes as Bankstown passed the Lions’ total with 3 balls to spare at 8 for 275. A stunning display of superlative batting and great support from his team.

Second grade

At Rosedale Oval, seconds captain Joel Brockley lost the toss and was asked to bowl. The Dogs’ bowlers struck early and had both Lions openers in the sheds on single figures. However, their number 3 bat was especially damaging before Gurinder Hara (2 for 42) removed him caught behind for 99. Most of the Dogs’ bowlers took wickets and help keep the pressure on the Fairfield batsmen who never really took charge. Indeed, both opening bowlers were on song, with spinner Koby Layton excellent with 2 for 31 and paceman Muhammad Salman with 2 for 40. Fairfield-Liverpool reached 7 for 209 after their allotted 50 overs. In a similar vein to 1sts, the seconds also won in 49.3 overs reaching 210 with 9 wickets down. Alex Kouventaris showed his prowess with the bat with a brilliant 89 and provided the basis for an unlikely Dogs win after a poor start to the run chase. Along with Cameron Middleton (24), Matt Simpson (16) and Mitch Constantinou (28), Kouventaris found plenty of support and willing partners to earn a great Dogs win.

Third grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Brett Collison won the toss and batted first. Openers Brian Handunneththi (45) and Tomas Cordingley (48) weathered the opening storm from a fiery Lions attack and selfishly lost their wickets trying to

press home the advantage by lifting the run rate. Handunneththi and Cordingley were well supported by Hayden Barrett with a quick-fire 27 and Bailey Penna with 24 as the Dogs reached 8 for 212 after their 50 overs. In an unbelievably close match, the Dogs’ bowling and fielding helped get them home by a meagre 4 runs. Defending 212 was never going to be easy at Kelso, but the Dogs kept their nerve and Collison led the side to a seemingly unlikely victory as visitors fell short with 8 for 208 after their 50 overs. Hayden Barrett was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 46, but all bowlers applied pressure which resulted in two sharp runouts from the sharp-shooting Jordan King.

Fourth grade

At Fairfield Oval, captain Jean Bilimoria lost the toss and was sent into bat. With much of the top order going cheaply, it took the experience of Jake Cormack to steady the ship and provide the impetus and batting backbone. With a superb innings of 83 not out, Cormack showed the skill and power hitting of which he is capable with 26 of his runs in boundaries. He was well supported by Bilimoria (51) and Hassan Jamil (32) and they rallied the Dogs’ innings to 8 for 210. Despite a century by a Lions batsman, there were also 3 ducks resulting in 7 batsmen only scoring single figures. Praneel Kavuri was simply superb and weaved his magic to prevent the Lions’ batsmen doing any damage. With 7 wickets for just 47 runs, Kavuri was the spearhead that helped the Dogs defend their total as he simply destroyed any hope of a home victory. The Dogs cleaned up the Lions in the 30th over and with that deservedly earning a bonus point.

Fifth grade

At Graeme Thomas Oval, captain Mat Kelly lost the toss was asked to bowlwhich the Dogs absolutely relished. Kelly showed all his experience and guile to outwit the Lions’ batsmen who simply had no answer to his line and ability to move the ball. Finishing with 4 wickets for just 14 runs, Kelly set the scene for a dominant Dogs bowling attack. Indeed, most other bowlers all performed well and took wickets - and it was especially pleasing to see the young brigade in 5ths really find their line and length. Sam Freedman earnt 2 for 24, while Joshua Bean (2 for 9) and Sam Cordingley (2 for 12) were especially economical. The Lions’ roar was replaced by barking Dogs as 5s rolled Fairfield to be all out for 92. In reply, the Dogs’ openers set the win up before promising all-rounder Freedman

fell on 23. Nevertheless, Jack Ashburner showed his skill with an unbeaten 41 to shore up the Dogs’ victory in just the 25th over to earn a well-deserved bonus point at 2 for 93 and so complete the clean sweep in all grades. Another feature of the 5ths game today was the return of former Bulldog Ryan Donovan after 14 years away from the kennelhaving played last year for Victoria in the indigenous Imparja Cup, his experience on the park wa apparent and much appreciated.

14th Oct 2023 Bulldogs humbled in 1sts, but lower grades shine

At Asquith Oval, captain Daniel Solway lost the toss, and the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs were sent in to bat. On a pitch that resembled a minefield, the Bulldogs batsmen were in trouble from the opening overs. With four ducks in the innings, it needed someone to stand tall and carry the innings. Unfortunately, no one made the scorers work hard and the Dogs barely whimpered. Only Angus Campbell (31) and Brad Simpson (29no) made the score less of a disaster. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon turned out for his club side, but was wicketless as the Bulldogs were all pout for 118. In reply, the hosts nearly succumbed to the same fate with three of the top order out for just 1 run each – and all of a sudden, the ‘Dogs were back in the match. But the score was just too little to defend, despite superb bowling by Liam Marshall (3 for 11) along with Daniel Burns (2 for 38). While the Dogs snared 6 wickets, the Bankstown total was surpassed in the 26th over despite a few scares for the hosts.

Second grade

At Bankstown Oval, the Dogs lost the toss and were asked to field. Despite good line and length bowling, the visitors were consistent in their ability to score runs. Gurinder Hara was the pick of the Dogs’ bowlers with 2 for 33, but it was the fielding by new Bulldog Riley Kingsell that set the Dogs barking with a spectacular diving catch that was all instinct and had him parallel to the ground. After their allocated 50 overs, the visitors reached a decent 5 for 217. In reply, Kingsell brought his form to the centre with his bat and played a stoic innings of 43 - which included 24 runs form boundaries. Not to be outdone, consistent run-getter Alex Kouventaris paved the way for the Dogs with another stunning innings. A brilliant 72 off 92 balls

- with 8 boundaries - saw Kouventaris yet again provide the backbone for the Dogs with skill and power-punch hitting. He was well supported by Matt Simpson (23). Although once he got out bowled, it was tight. With 9 balls to go, the scores are tied on 217. Zane Mitchell gets the pleasure of hitting the winnings runs for the Dogs in the 49th over. A hard-fought and well-deserved win.

Third grade

At Storey Park, the home side won the toss and asked Bankstown captain Ethan Prideaux to field. While the home team scored reasonably well, it was the Bulldogs’ bowlers that sustained the pressure as no Northern District batsman got over 35. Spinner Brian Handunneththi was the pick with 3 for 20 off 10 overs and really helped strangle the run rate. He got great support form Luca Croft (2 for 38) and Bailey Penna (2 for 14) and the hosts were restricted to 8 for 152 off their 50 overs. In reply, openers Handunneththi and Tomas Cordingley stared the run chase on fire with the Dogs on 63 runs after 15 overs with no wickets lost. The two put on a batting masterclass to which the hosts simply had no answer. In a most comprehensive victory, both Handunneththi and Tomas Cordingley were unbeaten and a win on the books - and in just the the 27th over! Their dominance with the willow was breathtaking as they took on all bowlers - and they dispatched them to the fence 20 times between them. Handunneththi 63 not out off 81 balls and Tomas Cordingley 73 not out off 82 balls saw a most dominant Dogs’ performance.

Fourth grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jehan Bilimoria lost the toss and was sent in to bat. A decision that bore fruit immediately for the visitors with both openers back in the sheds on single figures. However, the Dogs took over from here. Three batsmen all scored well which enabled the side to reach a very solid 6 for 212 off their 50 overs. Jordan King (46), Bilimoria (41) and Jake Cormack with 54 not out paved the way - with 14 boundaries between them as they worked the ball around and over the rope. Indeed, Cormack was punishing as his 54 was off just 40 balls, and really set the Dogs howling. In reply, the visitors struggled to get any momentum or big scores with 6 of their batsmen getting single figure scores. While the wickets were shared, ever-dangerous Anthony Melnyk was the pick with 3 for just 18 runs and he was well supported by Reagan Sidhu (2 for 34) and Matt Fitzgerald (2 for 29).

The tight bowling and smart fielding saw the visitors restricted to just 142 and the Dogs scoring a comprehensive win by 70 runs in just the 38th over.

Fifth grade

At Grahame Thomas Oval, captain Tim Croft won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat. Croft and youngster Sam Freedman applied plenty of pressure with the new ball and paved the way for the wiley Chris Stefanish to wreak havoc on the visitor’s batting lineup taking 3 quick wickets. Stefanish finished with the terrific figures of 3/35 off his 10 overs.. Tim Croft (2 for 44) and promising young spinner Sam Cordingley (2/5) also applied plenty of pressure and helped the Dogs keep the visitors to a moderate total of 187. In reply, young Jack Ashburner showed his skill and class with an outstanding 76, including 9 boundaries. Ashburner received great support from Lachlan Snell who bludgeoned 26 off just 27 balls and Frasier Bailey with 28. A workman-like win from a very young Bulldogs side that keeps improving.

T20 Qualifying Final - v Fairfield

Winning the toss, captain Daniel Solway had no hesitation in sending the home side into bat - and it delivered early results with both dangerous Lions openers back in the sheds in just a few balls with wickets to Liam Marshall and Aden Brown. The Dogs were howling! But the Lions’ captain was not to be outdone and helped them reach a very respectable 6 for 158 off 20 overs. Liam Marshall the pick with 2 for 43. In reply, the Dogs started well with Ryan Freeman (22) and Niran Wijewardene (21) providing great support for Solway - who raised hit bat for yet another 50. Unfortunately, the required run rate in the last few overs became insurmountable despite some big hitting. But, dropping wickets at the end without adding to the total became costly and perhaps reflected a need to press the T20 pedal to the floor a bit earlier. When Solway fell on 57 shortly after Ethan Deal (16) was adjudged run out after a direct hit, the Dogs were seemingly going home without a result. In reaching 6 for 149 off 20 overs, the Dogs finished 10 runs short of a semi-final berth.

21st Oct 2023

Solway stoic with bat - but Dogs face uphill battle

In a return to two-day cricket in the Sydney Premier Cricket competition, the

Bankstown Sports Bulldogs hosted the Penrith Panthers at Bankstown Memorial Oval. Captain Daniel Solway lost the toss and was asked to bat first. Unfortunately for the Dogs, it was Solway again who showed his class with a brilliant 97 to help stem the tide as others’ wickets fell around him - some were good balls while others were poor shot selection. However, Solway was well supported by speedster Liam Marshall with an excellent 61 and Zeeshaan Ahmed contributed with 33. Unfortunately, new English U19 recruit George Bell was amongst the batsmen who did not trouble the scorers, but the Dogs’ faithful know he will deliver once he settles into the Kennel. The Dogs struggled to a total of 239 all out - which will be very difficult to defend next week. However, opening bowler Ayden Brown struck late in the day and the Panthers are 1 for 19.

Second grade

At Howell Oval, captain Mitch Hinds lost the toss, fielded and the Dogs chased leather all day as on of the Panthers’ openers never looked like getting out - and indeed, will continue batting next week. Only spinner Koby Layton had figures worthy of a mention with some great bowling to dismiss nearly half the team - from the opener down to the tail. With 4 for 74, Layton helped stem the tide somewhat, but the home team amassed 7 for 317 and will likely bat next week as well.

Third Grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Ethan Prideaux lost the toss and fielded. With some young but up and coming quality bowlers in Nicholas Freedman, Bailey Penna and Luca Croft, the Dogs were howling as the Panthers were rolled for 162 in the 71st over. Freedman was the pick with 3 for 44, but the contributions by both Penna (2 for 11) and Croft (2 for 18) ensured the Dogs were dominant. However, in reply, the Dogs are already 2 for 14 with two ducks and so the match is very evenly poised.

Fourth Grade

The Jake Cormack-led Bulldogs 4th grade has already secured first innings points in its match versus Penrith at Bill Ball Oval. Penrith won the toss and elected to bat but Hassaan Jamil starred for the visitors taking 3/25 off six accurate overs. He was well supported by Chris Stefanish (2/24 off 10 overs) and Anthony Melnyk with 2/14 off 6.2 overs as the home side was all out for 78. The Bulldogs had no trouble passing the Penrith total losing only four

wickets (4 declared for 119). James Hawksworth continued his good form with 30 and Melnyk showed his allrounder credentials with 34 not out. At stumps, Penrith was 1/9 and it’s hoped Cormack’s side can continue to dominate next week and secure a valuable 10 points with an outright victory.

Fifth Grade

At Grahame Thomas Oval, the visitors won the toss and batted. And batted. Penrith piled on the runs while the Dogs fielders fetched the ball from the fence far too many times. Very young medium pace bowlers Thomas Budge and Sam Freedman bowled a good line and length both show great promise. Budge had a well-deserved 3 for 55 and Freedman 2 for 51. Unfortunately, one of the Panthers’ batsmen scored over 150 and is still not out, so the Dogs are staring down the barrel of a massive total. At the end of the day, Penrith are 6 for 373.

Poidevin-Gray

v Blacktown

Winning the toss, captain Ethan Deal sent the Blacktown Mounties side in to bat. This brought almost immediate results with both openers gone for single figures. However, the Dogs could not force home the great start and a few Mounties batsmen scored well. But, young Luca Croft showed what a future he has an opening bowler by snaring 4 for 29. When paired with other opener Zane Mitchell (2 for 19) they are developing into an impressive unit of opening attack. Brian Handunneththi also chipped in (2 for 30) and the Blacktown Mounties were all out in the 45th over for 189. Chasing what was a modest total for a 50-over match, the Under 21 Bulldogs all struggled to get a big score. While Angus Campbell (35), George Bell (23) and Riley Kingsell (22) all contributed with solid starts, without further support or anyone going on with the job, the Blacktown total became too difficult and the Dogs were all out with 9 overs to go for just 145.

WEEK 2

Bulldogs gallant but not enough runs to defend

At Bankstown Memorial Oval, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs were hoping for quick wickets against Penrith as their batting total was unlikely to be enough. Penrith resumed 1 down, and the Dogs did indeed get 3 batsmen out for 10 or under - with Brad Simpson snaring two of the three. But, without enough runs in the bank, the other Penrith batsmen worked their way to victory despite slow scoring from their opener. While the Dogs

sometimes applied some pressure with quality bowling, the visitors worked their way to overtake the Dogs’ total in the 68th over. Simpson was the pick with 2 for 57 as the Panthers passed the home side’s total 5 wickets down. Next week the Dogs play Sydney at Drummoyne Oval in a 2-day format match.

Second grade

Chasing a big total, captain Mitch Hinds needed his batsmen to stand tall. Unfortunately, only Zane Mitchell (58), Koby Layton (45) and Angus Campbell (40) showed skill and resistance to score well and really should have gone on with the job. But at least one player needed to get a big score when chasing over 300 runs, and the Dogs couldn’t produce the spark required to chase down an imposing total, falling 98 short.

Third Grade

At Kelso Park North, Ethan Prideaux’s young team overcame the loss of early wickets to comprehensively defeat the visitors. Opener Brian Handunneththi provided the early backbone while Matt Simpson showed his sheer class and power. Scoring a brilliant 100 not out, Simpson provided combined deft placement and power hitting – smashing 11 boundaries in another milestone innings by the popular Clubman. Simpson He was well supported by Bailey Penna (49) and Riley Collison (24 not out) as the home side chalked up a comprehensive win, losing just 6 wickets for 252 runs.

Fourth Grade

The Jake Cormack-led Bulldogs 4th grade had already secured first innings points and was hoping to force an outright win. In their second innings, the Panthers did slightly better reaching 127 although they used up a lot of the overs in doing so. Reagan Sidhu was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 48 but it was Hassaan Jamil who looks a promising prospect with 3 wickets for just 7 runs as he demolished the Panthers’ middle order. Chasing 85 runs for outright victory, the Dogs batsmen held their nerve rattling up 89 runs for just 3 wickets and securing a well-deserved outright victory.

Fifth Grade

At Grahame Thomas Oval, the visitors declared and set the Dogs a massive chase. Unfortunately, with 5 ducks, a big Dogs’ total was highly unlikely, and indeed the Dogs were rolled for just 62 all out. Sent back in, they fared better and somehow survived an attempt at outright victory. Sam Freedman was the mainstay of resistance with 49 runs,

while others provided sufficient support to stifle the Panthers’ attack. The Dogs ended the day at 4 for 134 with promising all-rounder Sam Freedman (49) helping to withstand a ferocious Panthers second innings attack cheered on by their victorious 1st grade side.

4 Nov 2023

Match evenly poised despite rain

The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs travelled to picturesque Drummoyne Oval on Saturday to take on Sydney in their 2-day Round 5 clash. Captain Daniel Solway won the toss and had no hesitation in sending the home side after the recent rain around Sydney. While the Dogs reaped the benefit of an at times tricky wicket, Sydney’s batsmen managed to scrape together a modest total despite losing overs to poor weather. However, the line and length of the Dogs’ bowlers ensured no Sydney batsmen has yet to reach 50. This match saw the return of Ryan Felsch after a recent hand injury, and although wicketless, his contribution with tight opening bowling was important in restricting runs. Again, young tearaway quick Brad Simpson was the pick with 2 for 39 off 16 overs and he was well supported by the slow bowlers Justin Felsch and Ben Le Bas who snared valuable scalps. At 6-184 off 72 overs, next week the Dogs will look to finish the Sydney batsmen off quickly and chase down their total.

Second grade

At Bankstown Oval, the Mitch Hinds-led seconds had a day out with bat and ball. Winning the toss and sending the visitors in to bat, the Dogs tore them to shreds as only three Sydney batsmen bothered the scorers much. Indeed, the wickets were shared between four bowlers: Gurinder Hara the pick with 3 for 34, Mitch Constantinou 2 for 18, Muhammad Salman 2 for 24 and Koby Layton 2 for 28 - which showed the variety, skill and depth of the Dogs’ bowling attack. The visitors were rolled for just 146 in under 66 overs, so there was plenty of time left in the day’s play. Veteran opener Joel Brockley displayed all his skill and power to smash 60 runs off just 49 balls to set the home side on a winning trajectory. Brockley was supreme in testing conditions of poor light and intermittent rain. His opening partner Riley Kingsell was not far behind and is 52 not out off just 62 balls. Hinds also contributed well smashing 22 off just 15 balls and the Dogs simply took

the sword to the Sydney bowling attack. Unfortunately, the match was suspended due to bad light - but not before the Dogs were within 10 runs of gaining first innings points after their batting rampage.

Third Grade

At Ryde Oval, Bankstown won the toss and elected to bowl. Captain Ethan Prodeaux was hoping to take advantage of any dampness in the pitch. Opening bowler Michael Amadio had both opening batsmen in the shed before Bailey Penna with 3 for 25 and Brian Handunneththi with 3 for 32 did the job well, despite a few Sydney batsmen getting decent scores. Nevertheless, the Dogs rolled Sydney for 217 in the 62nd over and had the unenviable task of facing one over at the end of the day - which unfortunately brought results for Sydney on the last ball of the day. The Dogs are 1 for 0, chasing 218 to win when they resume next Saturday.

Fourth Grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jehan Bilimoria lost the toss and was asked to bowl first. Sydney’s openers did a solid job to set a decent platform before Anthony Melnyk and Chris Stefanish weaved their magic. Melnyk was delivering balls with spiders on them and was genuinely unplayable. Snaring 2 wickets for just 4 runs off 13 overs proves his effectiveness - 12 of his overs were maidens. Stefanish provided great support at the other end and earned 2 for 34 off 22 overs. After the day’s play, Sydney is 6 for 155.

Fifth Grade

At Birchgrove Oval, rain interrupted the day’s play. However, captain Tim Croft lost the toss and was sent into bat. After 25 overs the Dogs are struggling at 3 for 46 with the three top-order batsmen already dismissed. The young Dogs batsmen will need to knuckle down and set a defendable total next week.

WEEK 2

Young Simpsonspeedster snares 5 but batsmen disappoint

At Drummoyne Oval, the Daniel Solwayled first was intended to finish off Sydney and then chase down a modest total for victory. Unfortunately, only the first part of the plan came to fruition. Resuming at 6 for 184, Sydney only managed a further 58 runs before being bowled out - mostly due to the speed of tearaway young quick Brad Simpson. He continued his recent great form with a stunning

5-wicket haul for just 51 runs and set the scene for the Bulldogs’ batsmen who needed 243 for victory. Alas, most of the batsmen struggled to score with only Niran Wijewardene (43) and George Bell (35) with scores of note. The Dogs’ were put to the sword and humbled to be all out for just 137 runs.

Second grade

At Bankstown Oval, it didn’t take long for Mitch Hinds’ team to overtake Sydney’s score and secure first innings points as Riley Kingsell worked to an unbeaten 61 runs. Hinds took the initiative by declaring and sending Sydney back in to try and gain an outright victory. The visitors performed far better in their second innings and reached 3 for 220 before stumps were called with Bankstown securing a solid 1st innings victory.

Third Grade

Captain Ethan Prideaux led the way in a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful run chase at Ryde Oval. Prideaux scored 28 runs in boundaries and was playing well until caught on 40. He was well supported by Rahid Alam with 36 and Luca Croft on 30. Unfortunately, no one went on with the job and in what seemed like a very gettable target of 218 saw the Dogs go agonisingly close - falling short by 20 runs.

Fourth Grade

At Kelso Park North, the fourths led by Jehan Bilimoria suffered a similar fate in not being able to chase down a very modest total. While Sydney resumed their batting, the visitors only added a further 27 runs before being bowled out for 182 with Matthew Fitzgerald leading the way with 3 for 35. Chasing a very modest total, only Jake Cormack again showed his skill and ability with a very solid 51. Cormack was supported well by Fitzgerald on 26, but all other batsmen scored 10 or below which resulted in a 51-run loss for the Dogs.

Fifth Grade

At Birchgrove Oval, the Bulldogs resumed at 3 for 46 and needed to set a total quick enough to give the bowlers time to get Sydney out. Frasier Bailey scored very well for a hard-earned 56 and along with Lachlan Plowes with 45, gave the Dogs a fighting chance. Unfortunately, the Sydney batsmen applied themselves well to the task and passed the Dogs’ total in only the 57th over. The pick of the bowlers was young opening bowler Sam Freedman with 2 for 46 and captain Tim Croft with 2 for 25.

Poidevin-Gray v Penrith

At Bankstown Oval on Sunday, the Bankstown Under 21 team took on Penrith in a one-day, 50 over match. Captain Ethan Deal won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Indeed, Deal led the way with a sterling captain’s knock of 72 runs off just 76 balls which included 10 boundaries - four of which sailed over the Memorial Oval fence. Opener George Bell with 48 and Ryan Freeman with 49 ensured the Dogs attained a solid, defendable total, in reaching 6 for 249 off their allocated 50 overs. In reply, the Panthers almost snatched victory as they worked their way to be all out for 235. The wickets were shared amongst most bowlers, and it could be argued the two runouts helped secure the Dogs’ victory as both run-out wickets stopped the visitors’ momentum at crucial points in their chase.

18 Nov 2023

Local derby sees Bulldogs in control

In the first-grade match at Glenn McGrath Oval against Sutherland, the Daniel Solway led Bulldogs are in a very strong position after yet another stunning inning by the captain. Solway won the toss and elected to bat and so doing, demonstrated all his skill and patience at the crease to provide the backbone for the Dogs’ very solid total of 364. Solway amassed another good century as he worked his way to 149. With deft touches and some power strokes, Solway hit 14 boundaries in his time at the crease. The incredible talent makes pundits question why Solway seems to miss the radar of higher honours as he delivers runs consistently. Solway was very well supported by the other top 4 batsmen with Ethan Deal scoring a quick-fire 65 off 70 balls, Zeeshaan Ahmed 42, and George Bell with 36. All helped the Dogs’ keep building very impressive partnerships to push the team total to be all out for 364.

Second Grade

At the beautifully prepared Bankstown Memorial Oval, proud Yuin man (South Coast) Harry Whitting, performed a smoking ceremony before the match to recognise the Cricket NSW’s First Nations Round. Captain Mitch Hinds won the toss and elected to bat and Sutherland was asked to bowl. Despite losing a few early wickets for very little runs, the very talented young batsman Ryan Freeman delivered a masterclass of willow-wielding. Scoring an unbeaten

168 off 221 balls, Freeman was pure style and all substance. With 112 of Freeman’s runs coming from fours, he was dictating the game on his terms and never looked like getting out. There is no doubt he is destined for higher honours as his ability is reflected in his run-getting in almost every game. Freeman was very well supported by wicketkeeper Cameron Middleton with a very solid 89 and was a reminder of Middleton’s batting prowess. The Dogs were all out for 317 and had some time to make inroads into the Sutherland batsmen. In 11 overs, the visitors are already 3 for 29 and looking in hot water after 2 wickets to Zane Mitchell (2 for 6), and Muhammad Salman (1 for 13).

Third Grade

At Sutherland Oval, captain Ethan Prideaux won the toss and batted. A decision he was made to regret as the Dog’s batsmen struggled with the slower bowling. Only Tomas Cordingley made the scorers do any real work with a classy 47 but there were no other scores of note which led to a very poor 124 as the Dogs’ total. Sutherland has already passed the Bankstown total at 3 for 124 although the spin of Nicholas Freedman earnt him 2 for 16 and may hold the key to an exciting match.

Fourth Grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jehan Bilimoria won the toss and sent Sutherland into bat. This paid dividends as the visitors limped to be all out for just 78 runs. Wily bowlers Anthony Melnyk and Chris Stefanish were just far too good for the batsmen and bamboozled them into giving up their wickets. In a rare feat, the 2 bowlers took all 10 wickets between them - with 5 eachto simply demolish the visitors. Melnyk with 5 for 18 was brilliant and Stefanish with 5 for 31 caused havoc. The Dogs have already chased down the visitors’ total and are 3 for 113 with Jordan King showing his skill and willingness to wait for the right ball to hit, with 53 not out.

Fifth Grade

At the seaside Tonkin Park, captain Tim Croft won the toss and batted. While reaching a modest total of 201 all out, only a few Dogs’ batsmen stood up. Jack Ashburner was workman-like in grafting his way to 64 while Ryan Malcolm scored a very solid 57. Unfortunately, they were only scores of note and the Dog’s batsmen will have an uphill battle next week to restrict the home side.

Poidevin-Gray v Northern District

In Sunday’s Under-21 Poidevin Gray match, the Dogs kept their winning going with the scalp of Northern District. Captain Ethan Deal lost the toss and asked to bowl. Englishman George Bell had a great day out with ball and bat as he snared 3 for 34 and belted 63 runs as an opening bat. Jake Smith also bowled very well to snare 3 for 40 and the Dogs restricted Northern District to 191 after bowling them out a few overs short of their 50 allocated overs. Chasing 192 to win, the Dogs’ victory was set up by openers George Bell and Riley Kingsell with 67. Kingsell was especially damaging as he scored at just over a run a ball and so was the perfect foil for Bell’s measured approach. With Angus Campbell’s 23, the Dogs won the game after losing 6 wickets for 192 with 7 overs to spare. In the end, quite a comprehensive win against an undefeated opposition.

WEEK 2

Rain aplenty but Bulldogs overcome Sharks in club championship points race

Despite the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs being in a very strong position at the start of the second days’ play again local rivals Sutherland, the rain ensured no play was possible, and the advantage was lost to a drawn game. However, in spite of the inclement weather, the Bulldogs secured wins in 2nd, 4th and 5th Grades to bank valuable points in the race for the Sydney Smith Club Championship trophy.

The Bulldogs take on Blacktown in a two-day Saturday / Sunday match at Memorial Oval starting at 10 am Saturday.

Second grade

After last week’s batting demolition, the Bulldogs continued taking wickets at Bankstown Memorial Oval. Indeed, the visitors lost their final 7 wickets for just 24 runs. The Bulldogs’ bowlers completely overwhelmed the Sharks’ batsmen. Youngster Zane Mitchell keeps pushing for higher grades as his bowling continues to improve as he tore through the hapless batsmen. Mitchell snared five wickets for just 23 runs and was unplayable with his speed and line. He was well supported by opener Muhammad Salman with 3 for 15 and Gurinder Hara with 2 for 10 as the visitors were bundled out for 53. Sent back in, the visitors fared better in their batting with 2/130 when stumps were drawn

due to persistent rain. The Bulldogs with a very strong first innings win.

Third grade

No play was possible at Sutherland Oval – the Dogs had already lost on the first innings scoring a modest 124 that was eclipsed by the home team with 3/125.

Fourth grade

The Dogs had already achieved first innings points on week 1and were hopeful to press home the advantage and secure outright points. However, there was no play possible at Kelso Park North.

Fifth grade

Defending a modest total the Tim Croft led young Bulldogs applied themselves very well in the field and dismissed the Sharks at Tonkin Oval for just 64 runs - over 140 runs behind the Dogs’ total. Kostas Saisanas was the pick with a stunning 4 wickets for just 13 runs and tore through the home side’s top order. Sam Freedman provided great support with his pace to snare 2 for 19 and Muhammad Talha mopped up the rest with a measly 2 wickets for 2 runs.

2nd Dec 2023

Dog’s demolition as local junior snares six on debut

In the two-day Saturday/Sunday match at Bankstown Memorial Oval, debutant Koby Layton sent the Bulldog archivist scrambling to check if there had been a better introduction to first grade by a bowler.

After losing the toss and being sent into bat, captain Daniel Solway had to rely upon the ‘Lad from Lancashire’ to ensure the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs posted a defendable total. George Bell joined the kennel this summer from Lancashire and comes with a pedigree having represented England in Under 19s as well as being a regular in Lancashire’s red and white ball sides. Bell top scored for the Dogs and looked like he would go to register his maiden Bulldog ton - but it was not to be. Scoring a well-deserved 82 as an opener, Bell showed the kind of smart and measured batting of which he is capable as she sent the ball to the boundary fence eight times with deft glances and beautiful drives. Bell was well supported by Zeeshaan Ahmed with 42 and bowler Liam Marshall with 35, who is becoming somewhat of a genuine all-rounder as he scores runs consistently. The Dogs reached 235 before being bowled out as quite a few batsmen simply

gave their wicket away by spooning up simple catches. Nevertheless, a decent total was on the board and Blacktown then batted and had lost a wicket by the end of the day’s play.

On Sunday, despite inroads by pace duo Brad Simpson and Liam Marshall, the result was very much in the balance until debutante Koby Layton, who was inducted on Saturday as Bankstown’s first-grade cap number 315, took centre stage. A product of the Bankstown District Cricket Association, Layton played U16 AW Green Shield for Bankstown and made his Premier Grade debut in 2015/16, before he was selected in Second Grade when just 15 years of age the following year. On Sunday he turned the ball prodigiously and combined this with great accuracy, clean-bowling or trapping LBW three of his victims. The other three wickets were caught when batsmen tried to dominate him. Snaring 6 wickets for just 11 runs off 7.5 overs is a testament to Layton’s off-spin skill and guile and had the crowd reminiscing about a younger Bulldog named David Freedman as an ‘up-and-coming’ spinner from years ago. Freedman of course went on to represent NSW and played for Australia A against the West Indies. What had seemed like a moderate total of 235, thanks to Layton, turned into more than enough runs for the home side as Blacktown was all out for just 115.

Second Grade

In a one-day 50-over match thriller at Blacktown, Mitch Hinds’ team snuck home with one wicket to spare. Hinds won the toss and sent Blacktown into bat, and they reached 9 for 184 after their allotted 50 overs. Mitch Constantinou (3 for 29) and Bailey Penna (3 for 46) were the main wicket-takers, but Gurinder Hara (2 for 42) provided solid support. Chasing 185 for victory off 50 overs, the Dogs’ batsmen had plenty of work to do. Led by Hinds with 37, Constantinou (36) and Tomas Cordingly (25) provided just a sniff of victory for the Dogs. However, being 9 wickets down and needing 8 runs for victory is a position captains prefer to avoid. But youngsters Nic Freedman and Luca Croft showed resilience in the Dogs’ tail and got Bankstown home by 1 run at 9 for 185.

Third Grade

At Kelso Park North, Bankstown captain Ethan Prideaux won the toss and bowled first in their one-day 50-over match. Anthony Melnyk continues to deliver wickets and today was no exception as he ripped through the Blacktown middle order and tail and helped restrict the

visitors to just 149 in 44 overs. Chasing a modest total, the Dogs struggled to get going and only Brian Handunneththi stood up with 55 runs. With 7 batsmen scoring single figures, 150 to win was always in jeopardy. Despite this the Dogs went close, scraping 129 runs to be all out, in a game they really should have had in the bank.

Fourth Grade

At Whalan Oval, captain Jehan Bilimoria won the toss and bowled first in their 50-over one-day match. All bowlers shared the spoils, but James Hawksworth was the pick with 3 wickets for 5 runs as he cleaned up the home side’s tail. The Dogs were chasing 141 for victory and achieved their target with more than 10 overs to spare. Again, Hawksworth stole the show, with an excellent 63 runs and along with Jake Cormack, ensured the Dogs were on the way to a solid victory. At 5 for 141, the Bulldogs were dominant with ball and bat for a good win.

Fifth Grade

At Graeme Thomas Oval in the 50-over one-day match, captain Ryan Malcolm lost the toss and was asked to bat. Frasier Bailey showed great skill for a well-earned 59 before he was run out. He was well supported by Malcolm with a quickfire 33 off 33 balls as well as ‘keeper Shanaq Hasan with a valuable 30 run contribution. The Dogs were bowled out for 211 in the 50th over. Defending a moderate total on Graeme Thomas is never easy, but the Dogs’ bowlers toiled and crafted their way into a winning position, despite a few Blacktown batsmen getting starts. Farhan Mohammed swung the match to the Dogs with a stunning 5 wickets for 48 runs and frequently put the Blacktown run chase on hold. Indeed, Mohammed’s wickets helped win the game as Blacktown were rolled for 203 in the penultimate over - just 9 runs short of victory. A tight and hard-fought win for the gutsy young Bulldog’s Fifth Grade side.

9th Dec 2023

Captain’s innings the real Deal but extreme heat a spoiler

In last weekend’s Sydney Premier Grade Cricket against Hawkesbury, most of the one-day games had disappointing ends as all but Third Grade were washed out (and drawn) due to the NSW Cricket ‘Extreme Heat Rule’. This was despite some good performances in the limited play that was completed

- with Lachlan Snell scoring a brilliant 121 off just 100 balls in fifth grade.

In third grade at Kelso Park North, captain Ethan Prideaux won the toss and batted - a decision he later regretted as the Dogs were unceremoniously rolled for just 70 and the visitors chased the total down without losing a wicket.

Poidevin-Gray v Fairfield

However, Sunday saw the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs Under 21 Poidevin Gray side assert their dominance and continue in their recent vein of good form. The Gary Crowfoot-coached side scored a solid but tight win in their one-day match over Fairfield-Liverpool at Rosedale Oval.

Captain Ethan Deal won the toss and elected to bat which enabled the Bulldogs to lay a foundation as George Bell contributed with a solid 41. Ryan Freeman also chipped in with 39 to keep the scoreboard ticking over. But it was captain Deal who stood and was counted as he blasted his way to what was a match-winning century. He was dispatching the ball all over the ground and sent it over the fence six times. Indeed, forty-four of his runs were from boundaries, such was his dominance over the bowling. Deal (100 off 98 balls) was also well supported by Angus Campbell with 39 off just 42, and the pair got the Dogs’ total into a very solid position. After their allotted 50 overs, the visitors were 7 for 271 and confident they would readily defend that total.

Despite the home side getting close, it was just a bridge too far as the Bulldogs bowlers stood firm and kept their composure despite some FairfieldLiverpool batsmen scoring very well and making the Dogs’ total look precarious at times. However, young spinner Jake Smith showed his continual improvement in the most difficult of cricket artistry to snare 3 wickets at crucial times to help break developing partnerships and end with 3 for 42. Along with paceman Zane Mitchell with 2 for 38, all other Dogs bowlers snared wickets, and as a team unit, restricted Fairfield-Liverpool to be all out for 249. A very solid win by 22 runs to Bankstown.

16

Dec 2023

Match-winning century to ‘keeper sets up Dogs’ win

In Saturday’s first grade Limited Overs format match against UTS North Sydney, captain Daniel Solway lost the toss and

was asked to bat at North Sydney No. 1 Oval. This was a decision the home captain ended up regretting. While the going was tough early on, and the Dogs lost a few early wickets, many got starts but few went on with the job. However, once again Ethan Deal showed his class and power with what turned out to be a match-winning 111 runs off just 103 balls. His dominance was reflected in the scorebook as 68 of Deal’s runs were from boundaries - some sailing over the boundary towards the famous North Sydney fig trees. Deal received solid support from George Bell (28) and Zeeshaan Ahmed (29). But it was youngster Angus Campbell who teamed with Deal to ram home the advantage in the latter half of the team’s innings. Campbell contributed a very commendable and critical 79 off just 76 balls, so he too was well on top of the bowling and remained not out. Finishing at 7 for 305 off their allotted overs, the Bulldogs had set a very defendable total. In reply, the Bears only had a few batsmen scoring well and the tail let them down as the Dog’s bowlers made regular inroads and strangled the Bears into submission. Liam Marshall was at his devastating best with 4 for 20 with scalps at the top and bottom of the order. Not to be outdone, recent first-grade debutante Koby Layton was again spinning in the wickets with 4 for 42 and brought his tally to 12 wickets in just 3 first-grade matches. These two received solid support with tight bowling from the team as a unit, and the Dogs simply left the Bears in their wake as the home side crumbled to be 219 all out.

Second grade

At Bankstown Oval, captain Mitch Hinds lost the toss and was also sent in to bat - with an identical result to first grade. Bankstown powered their way to 273 off their allotted 50 overs for the loss of just 4 wickets. Joel Brockley opened with his power hitting for a quick-fire 48 and he was partnered by Riley Kingsell with 37. Similarly, Ryan Freeman also scored quickly for his 31 and Cameron Middleton ended up 32 not out off just 28 balls. However, the captain stood up and drove the Dog’s bus home with a stunning 95 off 93 and Hinds was truly unlucky not to hit a century. It seemed like the visitors were bowling watermelons the way some of the Dogs’ batsmen were dealing with whatever was dished up to them. Hinds and all batsmen scored so quickly, the visitors simply could not get their thoughts and plans reviewed. After their allotted 50 overs, the Dogs were 4 for 273 and in a very strong position.

With only two Bear’s batsmen getting runs of note, the Dogs’ bowlers were in charge all afternoon. The wickets were shared amongst all bowlers, but Muhammad Salman was the pick with 3 for 27, with Justin Flesch (2 for 40) and Gurinder Hara (2 for 45) playing significant roles in bundling out the Bears for just 194.

Third grade

At Bon Andrews Oval, the Dogs let slip a game in which they were behind the eight ball for much of the proceedings. Losing the toss and being sent into bat, on what is often an unpredictable pitch to bat on, the Dogs whimpered to be all out for 138. In reply, the home struggled to chase down the total and lost 8 wickets in doing so.

Fourth grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jean Bilimoria won the toss and sent the visitors into bat. While only one of the Bears’ batsmen scored well, it was enough to post a reasonable total. Despite very solid line and length bowling from Matt Fitzgerald with 3 for 17, the Dogs toiled well but to little avail. Also snaring wickets was Kostas Saisanas (2 for 28) and James Hawksworth (2 for 50). The visitors reached 185 off their allotted 50 overs. In reply, the Dogs let this slip their fingers as a few batsmen got starts (Fitzgerald 27, Cooper McMahon 26 and Johann Perera 25), but that was the end of the Dogs’ attack. The home whimpered to be all out for just 126.

Fifth grade

At Tunks Park, the Dogs’ captain Ryan Malcolm lost the toss and was sent into bat. With only 2 batsmen scoring well, it was always going to be difficult to amass a good total, despite the sterling efforts of Sam Freedman (58) and Muhammad Talha (68). Had these two got better support, the match may have swung towards the Dogs as they reached a decent 8 for 198. However, the Turks Oval proved too small for the home side who chased the Dogs’ total down for the loss of just 2 wickets, with 5 overs to spare.

AW Green Shield - Sunday

The prestigious Under 16 AW Green Shield 50-over format kicked off on Sunday and the Bulldogs had a very solid start to their campaign with an away win at Howell Oval against Penrith. Captain and wicketkeeper Riley Collison lost the toss and was asked to bowl at Howell Oval. Opening pace bowler Taylor Gilbert was excellent as he snared 4 wickets for just 25 runs in a very impressive

performance. Gilbert was well supported by spinner Sam Cordingley with 3 for 22, including a very sharp stumping by Collison who speedily flicked the ball back onto the stumps as the batsmen had charged Cordingley only to be scrambling to try and get back into his crease. Restricting the home side to 143 was a testament to the tightness of the bowling unit. Chasing down a small total on a wearing wicket was always going to be a challenge but the young Bullpups were the talented Gilbert showed his allround abilities with a brilliant 82 not outincluding 40 runs in boundaries. Coupled with his 4 wickets, Gilbert stood out as a genuine all-rounder with comprehensive skills with bat and ball. Thanks to Gilbert’s outstanding contribution, the visitors got over the line at 7 for 145 posting a valuable first-up win in what is bound to be a tightly fought competition.

23 Dec 2023

Dogs pecked by Magpies

In the local one-day derby between Bankstown and Wests at Pratten Park, captain Daniel Solway lost the toss and was asked to bat first on a ‘very sporting wicket’. With three ducks and five other batsmen only returning single figures, the scorers were not troubled much by the Dogs. Other than paceman Liam Marshall with 45 - and 32 of those were boundaries - the Bulldogs never assembled any substantial partnerships and were all out for 113 in the 34th over. Former Pakistan Test, ODI and T20 paceman was too good on the day taking 6/28 off his 10 overs. With so few runs in the bank, the Dogs’ bowlers would need to perform a Christmas miracle to win the game and while it looked remotely possible as the Magpies lost wickets to Ryan Felsch (2 for all 26) and Marshall (3 for 28) who both bowled very economically, the total was chased down. The Dogs snared six Magpie wickets (6/114) along the way to a disappointing loss.

Second Grade

At Bankstown Oval, second grade had a very close win, after posting a very decent total which they went on to defend. Captain Mitch Hinds won the toss and had no hesitation in batting on a magnificent-looking Memorial Oval deck. The decision to bat yielded results as most top-order batsmen scored rapidly at close to a run-a-ball. Hinds provided the backbone with 61 off 101 balls, while others around him hit hard.

Riley Kingsell was the standout with a dashing 70 off 87 balls, Ryan Freeman was also unlucky not to reach 50 with his 46 off just 49 balls and Alex Kouventaris smacked a solid 37 off just 37 balls. The Dogs set the Magpies a total of 245 and lost six wickets in doing so. In reply, the Dogs bowlers shared the wickets as the visitors crept ever closer to the total required in their 50 overs. However, wickets were shared and again Zane Mitchell showed his consistent ability to deliver under pressure to take four scalps for just 31 runs. Mitchell was bowling in tandem with Muhammad Salman (2 for 46) and Gurinder Hara (2 for 48), and the bowling unit kept the Magpies at bay by taking wickets regularly to thwart the run chase. The Bulldogs sneaking home after a bit of a scare, by having Wests all out in the final over for 222.

Third Grade

At Blick Oval, captain Ethan Prideaux won the toss and sent Wests into bat and that was the end of the Dogs’ winning in this match. While bowlers Luca Croft (2 for 37) and Bailey Penna (2 for 46) did well with the ball, the home side piled on the runs and only lost a few wickets along the way. With Wests finishing their 50 overs at 5 for 249, the Dogs needed 250 for victory. Unfortunately, there was no bark in the Dogs’ batting as they whimpered to be all out for just 90 runs, with only Brian Handunneththi (47) and Sam Cordingley (29) handling the bowling well.

Fourth Grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jean Bilimoria lost the toss and was asked to bat. Opener Johann Perera was the pick with a solid 43 and he was well supported by James Hawksworth with a steady 29. There was some fight in the Dogs’ tail, which was pleasing as Hayden Barrett (37) and Matt Fitzgerald (25) both helped the score move into a very defendable total. After their 50 overs, the Bulldogs were 8 for 181. As Wests threatened the total, and ran out of penetrating bowlers, Bilimoria tried mixing the bowlers at his disposal. Wily Chris Stefanish delivered as he often does with wickets when needed and earned 3 for 27 off 10 overs to be the pick. The other wickets were shared, but Wests snuck home in the 48th over at 8 for 184 to just eclipse the unlucky Dogs.

Fifth Grade

Captain Tim Croft won the toss at Punchbowl Oval and sent the home side into bat. Wests worked their way to a decent 7 for 139 after their 50 overs, and the wickets were shared amongst most bowlers. In reply, the young Bullpups

showed the resilience captain Croft has been seeking, and were tradesman-like in their run chase, without any batsmen setting the scoreboard alight. Sam Freedman and Luke Snell both topscored with 32, while other batsmen also contributed to a hard-fought and welldeserved win with the Dogs passing the Wests’ total in the 49th over at 6 for 140.

AW Green Shield

At Coogee Oval on Thursday 21st December, the Under 16 Bulldogs travelled to Coogee Oval to play Randwick-Petersham. Captain Riley Collison lost the toss and was asked to bat first, the match was reduced to 39 overs per side due to rain. The top order performed well, although no one went on to score big. Lucas Kay (30), Collison (27) and Cooper McMahon (25) were the picks, but one or two batsmen really should have converted their good starts. At 9 for 138, defending a modest total would not be easy. Taylor Gilbert continues to show his ability with an excellent 3 for 23 and he was well supported by Joshua Bean with 2 for 26. With such a low total to defend, it was going to be difficult for a Dogs’ victory - and the home side snuck home in the 38th over at 7 for 139.

13 Jan 2024

Sea Eagles pick off the Dogs

In a disappointing weekend for the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs, all grades suffered losses to the powerhouse NSW Premier Grade Club Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

At Bankstown Oval, captain Daniel Solway won the toss and sent ManlyWarringah into bat and so was hoping to take advantage of any moisture around after Sydney’s week of heat and rain. The Bulldogs were howling with the visitors at 6 for 86 but excellent batting from Lachlan Coyte (69) and Bertie Foreman (57) at 7 and 8 saw the Sea Eagles post a respectable 8-223. Liam Marshall was the pick of the Bulldog bowlers. With impeccable line, length and pace the lanky Bulldog snared 3 for 38. The other bowlers all made solid contributions with Ryan Felsch the pick, claiming 2 for 47.

In reply, a few batsmen got good starts, but no one was able to ram home that platform, in part due to excellent tight bowling and snappy fielding from the visitors. The Bulldogs did look to be in a solid position at 0/70 but the wellexecuted run out of Ryan Felsch proved to be a major turning point. Solid efforts

from Zeeshaan Ahmed with 49, Daniel Solway 40 and Ryan Felsch with 37 provided some hope for the crowd but after their allotted 50 overs, the Bulldog’s run chase fell 13 runs short at 9 for 210.

Second grade

At Manly Oval, former Bulldog Andrew Jamieson won the toss for the home side and sent the Dogs into bat. Captain Mitch Hinds opened, but it wasn’t until Joel Brockley came in at 5 that the Dogs got going. With a quick-fire 70 off just 72 balls, Brockley made the bowling look pedestrian at times. With 46 of Brockley’s runs in boundaries, he was ensuring the beach-bound locals walking by kept their eyes open as he belted the ball into the fences. However, with only Ayden Brown in support with 25, the Dogs limped to be all out for 143 in the 32nd over. In the chase, the Sea Eagles enjoyed the better conditions and chased down the total with relative ease, losing just 2 wickets for 147 runs.

Third grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Ethan Prideaux won the toss and sent the visitors into bat. This proved to be a decision that came back to bite the Dogs as the Sea Eagles piled on the runs. Only Bailey Penna provided penetration with the ball and had 3 wickets for 46 runs off his 10 overs. The Sea Eagles reached 6 for 215 off their allotted overs, and this should have been an achievable target for Prideaux’s team. Unfortunately, only a solid second-wicket partnership between Tomas Cordingley (17) and Prideaux (30) troubled the scorers as the Dogs were humbled for 110.

Fourth grade

At Graham Reserve, the Dogs’ captain Jake Cormack lost the toss and was sent into bat. Along with James Hawksworth with an excellent 88 not out, Cormack’s quick-fire 50 off 52 seemed to help lift the Dogs. However, a relatively slow start meant that runs needed scoring quickly and only Cormack delivered. Nevertheless, Hawksworth provided a solid backbone with 10 boundaries but ran out of overs and partners as the Dogs total was a modest 5 for 193 after their 50 overs. In reply, the Sea Eagles were workmanlike and chased down the total in the final over, 7 down for 194. While all bowlers toiled well, CSP Kavuri was the pick with 3 for 55. The loss reflects the difficulty of defending a below-par total on Kelso Park North.

Fifth grade

At Grahame Thomas Oval, captain Tim

Croft won the toss and batted first. Unfortunately, the team did not perform and only James Duckett scored over 20 with 21 and the Dogs well and truly humbled to be all out for just 92 after 41 overs - which highlights the lack of scoring balls played. In reply, the visitors found the going easy, chasing down the total in just 16 overs to dominate the Bullpups with a cricketing lesson.

AW Green Shield - Sunday 14 January 2024

At Weldon Oval, the Under 16s AW Green Shield resumed against Manly-Warringah. Winning the toss, the Bulldogs batted first, and opener Lucas Kay scored an excellent 60 off 126 balls and looked to provide a backbone for the team to amass a good total off their allotted 50 overs. Unfortunately, the Manly bowling line-up kept the Dogs’ batsmen in check as the visitors as the visitors posted 9 for 183. In reply, the home side kept a close eye on the weather radar as storms were predicted and at 1 for 151 in the 34th over, the Sea Eagles were well ahead of the required Duckworth-Lewis par score when the match was called to a halt.

20 Jan 2024

Students throw the book at Dogs

In a return to two-day matches after Christmas, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs are already in hot water against arch-rival Sydney University at University Oval No. 1. Winning the toss and electing to bat, captain Daniel Solway was hoping to set a big total and force the students to risk runs and forego wickets. However, the opposite occurred. Only Ryan Felsch kept the scorers busy with an excellent 49 - with the highlight being four glorious sixes into the university grounds. Unfortunately, the Dogs hobbled together a measly 139 to be all out in the 70th over, leaving over 20 overs still to play in the day.

in reply, the students have demolished the Dogs’ bowlers - scoring at nearly triple the Dogs’ run rate. The student are only 10 runs behind the Dogs after their 21 overs for the loss of just one wicket, and should easily take a 1st innings win next Saturday. The Dogs may get an outright chance in the second innings as stranger things have happened on a cricket pitch.

Second grade

At Bankstown Oval, captain Mitch Hinds won the toss and batted first - which proved to be a masterful decision. Four batsmen were amongst the runs and

none were better than youngster Ryan Freeman who continues to prove his ability with willow in hand. Scoring a massive 127 before being unluckily run out, Freeman provided the backbone for the Dogs’ excellent score of 9 for 359 after their allotted 96 overs. But Freeman was not alone in wielding the wooden sword as Hinds also contributed with a sterling 67, as did Joel Brockley (51) and Cameron Middleton (41). Young Freeman is developing a consistent and very high level of skill against all bowlers along with the patience so necessary for big scores and is always pushing for higher grades.

Third grade

At St Paul’s Oval, captain Jake Cormack won the toss and batted first and the openers laid a solid platform for the Dogs. Tomas Cordingley was excellent as he belted 8 boundaries for 38 of his 61 runs. At the other end, Brian Handunneththi also hit the fence seven times as he forged his way to a solid 49. Reaching 9 for 203 after their allotted 80 overs, the captain may be somewhat disappointed in not reaching a much larger total after such a solid start.

Fourth grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jehan Bilimoria won the toss and elected to bat first. Unfortunately, the Dogs batsmen found the going tough and scored slowly as they were workman-like in grafting gather way to be 5 for 177 after 83 overs. Jordan King was the standout with 58 and he will resume batting next week as the Dogs hope to set the students a total they can readily defend.

Fifth grade

Captain Tim Croft lost the toss at Camperdown Park and was asked to bowl first. While all bowlers earnt wickets - with youngster Kostas Saisanas the pick with a miserly 2 for 18 off 10 overs - the students kept the pressure on and achieved a very solid 251 despite being bowled out in the 66th over. In reply, the Dogs have an uphill battle and will need to focus next week to ensure they chase down the large but achievable total.

AW Green Shield - Thursday 18th January v Gordon at Bankstown Oval

Losing the toss, captain Riley Collison was asked to bowl, and Gordon only managed a seemingly modest 190 to be all out in the 48th over of their allotted 50. All Dogs bowlers were amongst the wickets, with Luke Bean the pick with 3 for 30 off his 10 overs. In reply, the Bullpups struggled to form solid partnerships and wickets

fell regularly. Only the captain scored over 30 runs, and so the run chase was problematic, and the Dogs were rolled for 139 to lose by 51 runs.

AW Green Shield - Sunday 21st January v Mosman at Bankstown Oval

At Grahame Thomas Oval, captain Riley Collison won the toss and batted first against Mosman. The Bullpups showed more grit and skill in this game and reached a defendable 210 despite being bowled out with over 6 overs they should have utilised. Lower order batsman Ben Smith hot better than a run per ball with a dashing 46 off 42 balls to push up the Dogs’ total. Lachlan Snell with 41 and opener Lucas Kay (34) helped ensure the Dogs had a total to defend. In reply, Taylor Gilbert continues to show his genuine destructive ability as an opening bowler with a brilliant 6 for 34 off 10 overs. His ability to take crucial wickets provided the Dogs with the impetus to always maintain pressure, never allowing Mosman to take the ascendancy, although they fought hard. Gilbert was well supported by all bowlers, and especially Kostas Saisanas with 3 for 20. Despite the Whales going close, the young Dogs had a rewarding and well-deserved home win, although they will miss out on the finals.

WEEK 2

Mixed bag for cricketing Bulldogs

The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs NSW Premier Grade Club returned solid results on Saturday, driven mainly by the continuing good form of the lower grade sides.

Against Sydney University at University Oval No. 1. captain Daniel Solway’s team suffered the inevitable first-innings defeat as the students easily chased 10 runs to take the lead and then declared at 4 for 143, with Liam Marshall the pick in taking 2 for 35. Batting again, the Dogs showed greater resilience and determination and survived an outright loss, before the match was called. With Ben Le Bas top-scoring batting late in the order with 41 not out, the Dogs were in survival mode. However, wicketkeeper Ethan Deal (39) and Niran Wijewardene (34) provided some resistance as all three took their time by using up balls and truly helped prevent the students from railroading the Dogs’ total. The Dogs cobbled together enough tuns to be 8 for 185 and only lost on first innings. Second grade

At Bankstown Oval, captain Mitch Hinds declared the Dogs’ innings closed at 9 for 359 and so set the students 360 to win. With only one University batsman scoring over 50, the Dogs’ bowlers either restricted the opportunities for runs or more importantly, took wickets. Mitch Constantinou was at his season’s best bowling with 5 for 45 off 20 overs and outclassed and outsmarted the batsmen. He was well supported by Ayden Brown with 3 for 41 and Justin Felsch with 2 for 40, as the Dogs scuttled the students to be all out for 196 and secure a very dominant win.

Third grade

Captain Jake Cormack batted on at St Paul’s Oval after being 9 for 203 until the Dogs were all out for 222. Chasing 223, the students only had one solid batting partnership as the Dogs’ slow bowlers took them apart. Nicholas Freedman bowled a mammoth days’ worth of overs, but this yielded him the wickets in claiming 3 for 57 off 24 overs. He was partnered in spin by Brian Handunneththi with 2 for 25 who cleaned up the last 2 batsmen without adding to the score. The Dogs winning by 52 runs after rolling the students to be all out for 170.

Fourth grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jehan Bilimoria batted on until declaring at 6 for 243 with Jordan King reaching a stunning and stoic 84 not out which highlighted his ability and patience. Defending a solid total, Bilimoria was struggling for wickets until he turned to Muhammad Talha who also produced his best bowling of the season, snaring 5 for 47 off 15 overs and helped shut out the students’ innings and with it their hope of a win. The Dogs coming out solid winners with the students all out for 200.

Fifth grade

At Camperdown Park, captain Tim Croft’s youngsters were chasing 252 for victory. But, only Max Condon made the scorer work with a hard-earnt 41. Without enough support – as 7 batsmen scored in single figures – the Dogs’ chase was always in jeopardy. Indeed, the Dogs reached just 158 to be all out and suffered a loss by 93 runs.

3 Feb 2024

Firsts miss out, but all other grades claw out victories

In a nail-biting match against the Parramatta Eels at Bankstown Oval

on both Saturday and Sunday, a close loss in firsts prevented the Dogs from a clean sweep, as all other grades were victorious.

Captain Daniel Solway lost the toss on Saturday morning and was sent into bat - a decision that had the home side reeling. At 5 for 20, the Dogs looked like they would whimper into the kennel and succumb to the Eels’ bite. However, genuine all-rounder Ryan Felsch and young up-and-coming all-rounder Angus Campbell had other ideas. Both occupied the crease and so prevented any further collapse. Indeed, Felsch nearly scored a century, and his skill and experience were on show to the supporters. Unfortunately, Felsch fell on 98, but the pair had turned the Dogs around.

Similarly, youngster Campbell continues to develop his skills at the highest level in Sydney and worked his way to a very solid and critical 55. Lanky paceman Liam Marshall, who is developing into a genuine all-rounder, also contributed a solid 35; these three set the platform for the Eels to chase a defendable 234. Parramatta batted late on Saturday for 13 runs and had ample time to get the remaining runs on Sunday.

The Dog’s bowlers were on a mission, and runs were not easy to come by at all. All bowlers toiled extremely well in the heat and would not give the Eels an inch. Scoring was very slow by the Eels as the Dogs’ bowlers made every ball count and made sure there were no easy runs. George Bell was the pick with 3 for 24, and he was well supported by Brad Simpson (2 for 55) and Ben Le Bas (2 for 63). The line and length of the bowling and the sharp fielding meant the Eels needed nearly 95 overs to chase down the Dogs’ total for the loss of 8 wickets.

Second Grade

At Old Kings Oval, in the one-day 50 over match, captain Mitch Hinds lost the toss and was asked to bowl. The Dogs kept up the pressure and only a few Eels players got decent scores. Gurinder Hara was almost unplayable as he made the Eels batsmen swing and miss or miss the edge. Hara nabbed 3 for 10 in a superbly economical and damaging spell off his ten overs. The Eels reached 7 for 217 off their allotted 50 overs. In reply, the Dogs also only had a few batsmen stand up. But, with Justin Felsch leading the way with a stunning 101 off just 94 balls and Ayden Brown with 35 off 35 balls, the Dogs clawed their way to victory in the final over.

Third Grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jake Cormack lost the toss and was asked to bowl. Mitch Brown - a former Bulldog one-day specialist - joined the team and added his classy ability with both bat and ball. But Michael Amadio was the pick with 3 for 34 as the Dogs held the Eels to 7 for 217 off their 50 overs. In reply, the Dogs slowly clawed their way to a win. Cormack led the way with an excellent 59 off just 63 balls. But young Luca Croft demolished the Eels bowlers, smashing an unbeaten 50 off just 24 balls and ‘doing a Chris Gayle’, which got the Dogs home in the penultimate over. Well done Luca.

Fourth grade

At Merrylands Park, captain Jehan Bilimoria won the toss and batted first. A few Dogs batsmen stood firm with the willow - including James Hawksworth who followed up last week’s performance with a stunning 87 not out. Along with Anthony Melnyk, the pair really set the Eels a massive target as Melnyk also scored a quickfire 70 off just 72. With gteat support form Mo Talha (36no) and Sam Freedman (35), the Dogs reached a formidable 5 for 271 off their 50 overs. In eply, the Eels’ top order looked threatening, but the Dogs’ bowlers kept up the pressure and nabbed wickets that stemmed any momentum. Wily Chris Stefanish had the ball doing tricks as he snared 4 for 32 off 10 overs. Young speedster Sam Freedman earnt 3 for 29 and with CSP Kavuri (2 for 33) had sliced and diced the Eels well short of their target. The Eels bowled out for just 187 and a comprehensive win to the Dogs.

Fifth grade

At Grahame Thomas Oval, the scene was set for a David v Goliath fixture as the Dogs took on 1st placed Parramatta, who was nearly 50 points clear on the ladder. But no one had told the young Bulldog Pups as captain Tim Croft lost the toss and bowled first. Indeed, youngster Sam Cordingley gets better and better, and broke the Eels’ batsmen back with great line and length. Cordingley owned the Eels’ middle order, and they never recovered. He returned the remarkable figures of 5/32 off 10 overs, including 3 maidens. Regan Sidhu well supported him with 2 for 45. The Dogs dismissed the premiership leaders for just 132. In reply, Croft’s nerves were given a workout, as the youngsters have sometimes buckled under pressure. However, today they stood up and chased down a low total with 5 overs to spare. Jack Ashburner led the way with a stoic 55 not out, providing the backbone

for the Dogs’ chase. With Luke Snell’s 29 off 35 and Lachlan Plowes’s 23, the Dogs secured their upset of the season so far, reaching 5 for 133 - which should be a turning point for the youngsters who should have the confidence to now beat the best week in and week out.

10 Feb 2024

Bulldogs harpoon Whales

In Round 14 of Sydney Premier Grade Cricket, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs are in control across all grades against the Mosman Whales. Captain Daniel Solway lost the toss in first grade at Bankstown Oval and was asked to field. Shortly after, the Whales were harpooned on Memorial Oval by the rocks delivered by the Dogs’ bowlers as they collapsed for just 75 runs. With only two Whales’ batsmen getting into double figures, the bowlers had absolute control, with three bowlers snaring three wickets each. The sheer pace of Liam Marshall (3 for 11) was matched by Brad Simpson (3 for 17) as they wreaked havoc on the Whales. Not to be outdone, spinner Koby Layton (3 for 14) finished off the Whale’s tail as Mosman capitulated for 75 runs (which included five ducks). In reply, the Dog’s batsmen rammed home the advantage, with youngster Anus Campbell leading the way with 47 off just 37 balls. Both keeper Ethan Deal (46) and Ryan Freeman (40 off 27) continued their consistent form and dominated the Whales’ attack. At 8 for 204, and having already secured first innings points, the Dogs are total control of the match and will look to go for an outright win next Saturday.

Second Grade

At Alan Border captain Mitch Hinds won the toss and elected to bowl first. His decision was validated as the Dog’s bowlers gave nothing away and restricted Mosman to be all out for 171. Niran Wijewardene was the pick with a brilliant 4 for 17 off 10 overs and just made scoring almost impossible. Mitch Constantinou was equally miserly and snared 3 for 33 off 17.3 overs, as the Dogs’ bowlers took control and ensured the Whales never got going and were all out for 171. In reply, the Dogs are closing in on the chase total at 1 for 104 with opener Riley Kingsell wielding the willow with 61 not out off 55 balls - including 44 of his runs from boundaries. Captain Hinds is on 34 not out and he will look to get a solid lead next week and perhaps declare to chase an outright victory.

Third Grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Jake Cormack won the toss and batted, a decision he almost regretted when the Dogs slumped to 6/12. However, the indomitable Cormack showed his class and led from the front with a blistering innings of 152 not out to rescue his team. With deft shot placement behind the wicket and some wonderful drives, Cormack showed the skill and ability that saw him play first grade as a young Bulldog. Cormack never looked like getting out and was all class. With great support from Nicholas Freedman (35) and Matt Simpson (33), the Dogs declared at 9 for 267. With 7 overs left in the day, the Dogs paceman Baily Penna struck immediately, and the Whales will resume at 1 for 4 next week.

Fourth Grade

At Rawson Oval, captain Jean Bilimoria lost the toss and fielded. The Dogs’ bowlers kept pressure on the Whales’ batsmen, and runs were incredibly hard to get. After 80 overs, the Whales reached 9 for 208, with young speedster Sam Freedman the pick with 3 for 29. Chris Stefanish was also amongst the wicket with another solid tally of 3 for 58. Bilimoria will look to finish off the Whales quickly next week and chase down the moderate total.

Fifth Grade

At Grahame Thomas Oval, captain Tim Croft won the toss and bowled, with him snaring the great figures of 3 wickets for 14. The Whales struggled as Sam Cordingley continued his great run of form, snaring for 15. The Whales lost their last three wickets for no runs as they were bowled out for 105. In reply, the Dogs have already secured first innings points at 4 for 112, with Jack Ashburner leading the way with 47 not out and Max Condon bowled for 32. Next week, the Dogs will be chasing outright victory as the side has a mathematical chance of making the qualifying finals.

WEEK 2

Dogs devour Whales

As expected on Saturday at Bankstown, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs first grade side led by Danial Solway completed the rout of the Mosman Whales with a well-earned outright victory by 8 wickets. Showing more fight in the second innings, Mosman put together a more respectable effort in reaching 175 to be all out. The key destroyer this week was Ryan Felsch with 4 for 26, which earned him 5 wickets for the

match. Likewise for Liam Marshall with 2 for 24 this Saturday and 5 wickets for the match. Having rolled Mosman in the 69th over, there was plenty of time and overs for the Dogs to chase down the 43 runs needed for outright victory, with George Bell and Daniel Solway out in the middle when the outright was secured. Next week, the Dogs are away at Chatswood Oval against Gordon for a two-day match.

Second Grade

In their run chase, the Mitch Hinds-led seconds only needed 67 for first innings points after their great start last week. However, the scoreboard kept ticking over as the Dogs piled on the runs. Indeed, Riley Kingsell went on to make a superb 111 off just 101 balls - and paved the way for a massive Bankstown total. He was well supported by Cameron Middleton (59), Hinds (52) and the Glen Maxwell-like Justin Felsch who sent the ball into nearby suburbs with a stunning 40 not out off just 19 balls. This enabled Hinds to declare at 5 for 319 and put the game out of the Dolphins’ reach. The game was called with Mosman batting again at 2 for 63 and little chance of any other result. It was a great win where the Dogs’ bowlers and batters made a difference in the match. Second Grade has moved into the top position on the Albert Cup ladder with two matches remaining before the finals series.

Third Grade

When the Whales resumed batting at Kelso Park North, they required a further 264 runs for victory in chasing the Dogs 9 for 267 declared. The Dogs’ bowlers were all over the Whales, and only one batsman reached double figures as Mosman meekly cobbled together 101 runs. Bailey Penna was the key destroyer with 4 wickets for just 11 runs and strangled all scoring opportunities. Most other bowlers also snared wickets, and all were economical and gave nothing to the opposition. A very solid first innings win.

Fourth Grade

In the only loss of the round, the Dogs Fourth-grade team felt the scoreboard pressure and could not chase down Mosman’s modest total of 213, as the Whales only added 4 runs to last weekend’s score. Only Johann Perera (34) and Cooper McMahon (32 not out) scored runs, and the Dogs capitulated to be all out for 116.

Fifth Grade

After winning first innings last week,

the Tim Croft-led Dogs eyed off an outright victory. The Dogs added 59 runs before Croft declared at 7 for 171 with Jack Ashburner going on to reach 54. Ashburner was well supported by Hassaan Jamil with a solid 30. In Mosman’s second innings, the Dogs fought hard with exceptional bowing from James Duckett with 5 for 21 which brought him 7 wickets for the match. Similarly, Croft and Sam Cordingley both finished with 5 wickets for the matchsuch as was the bowling dominance. The Dogs skittled the Whales for just 95 in their second innings to set up a modest run chase for outright victory. Needing just 32 runs for outright, Ashburner and Max Condon delivered the final blows with the Dogs at 0 for 34 to win by 10 wickets.

24 Feb 2024

Mixed results for Dogs as debutant shines

The Bankstown Sports Bulldogs travelled across the harbour to Chatswood Oval on Saturday and Sunday to take on Gordon in the competition’s penultimate round. Despite first grade likely being out of finals contention, the Daniel Solway-led team fought hard after losing the toss and being sent into bat after play was delayed due to wet weather. Debutant Riley Kingsell was presented with Bankstown First Grade Cap Number 317 and showed he has what it takes for first grade with a solid top-scoring 41 in the first innings and an even better dig of 67 not out in the Dogs’ second innings. The Dogs were always behind the eight-ball, defending a sub-par total of 163. Only Ethan Deal, with 40, contributed well as the Dogs limped to be all out on day one. Gordon set a solid total to declare eight down on Sunday for 306 after some lofty hitting. Ryan Felsch was the pick with 3 for 72, as all bowlers were hammered at times as the Gordon captain cut loose. The Dogs fared much better in the second innings at 0 for 94 as the game was called for a first-innings win to the home side. Next week sees the Dogs play against Eastern Suburbs at Bankstown Memorial Oval in a two-day fixture that will be the final round of the season before the finals.

Second grade

At Bankstown Oval, captain Mitch Hinds lost the toss and was asked to bat in a 50-over one day match. Along with Joel Brockley, Hinds opened, and the pair put on over a century partnership as Brockley worked his way to an excellent 57 and Hinds 42. With other contributions, including Justin Felsch’s

24, the Dogs posted a solid 188 to be all out a few overs short of their 50. When fielding, the Dogs bowled well as a unit, with Felsch being the pick with 3 for 28 off his ten allotted overs as the wickets were spread amongst most bowlers. The main difference was the lack of sizeable partnerships, and the Dogs rolled the visitors in the final over for 175 to win a close call and remain at the top of the 2nd-grade ladder.

Third grade

At Killara Park, in a rain-delayed oversreduced match, captain Jake Cormack won the toss and batted first. Cormack once again led the way with the team’s top score of 66 runs off just 53 balls. With nearly half his runs in boundaries, Cormack’s lightning scoring and Luca Croft’s 26 paved the way for a solid Dogs’ score of 9 for 172 off their 40 allotted overs. In reply, the home side could not press the ‘go’ button, and Croft was the main destroyer with exceptional figures of 4 for 17. As well, all bowlers got wickets, so it was a bowling unit that strangled the Gordon run chase. The Dogs scuppered the home side for just 139 to win by a solid 33 runs and keep their terrific run of late season form going.

Fourth grade

At Kelso Park North, the Jehan Bilimorialed team lost the toss and was sent into bat. Openers Sam Freedman (60) and Johann Perera (51) did a sterling job getting the score going with a 99run partnership. The Dogs lower order worked hard to lift the run rate after the difficult early batting conditions and managed to total 8 for 192 after their 50 overs. In reply, the visitors reached 6 for 193 in the 48th over, with Chris Stefanish the best with 3 for 34 off his allotted ten overs. Despite the loss, the Dogs remain in finals contention in 8th, but next week will need to overcome Eastern Suburbs who are three positions higher on the ladder.

Fifth grade

At Beauchamp Oval, captain Brett Collison won the toss and batted in a rain-affected reduced-overs matchfrom 50 down to 29 overs. Max Condon (68) and Lachlan Snell (39 off 37 balls) led the way for the Dogs and helped post a very solid 3 for 155 off 29 overs. In reply, the Dogs nearly snatched a well-deserved victory as Gordon passed their total with one ball to spare and nine wickets down. Hassaan Jamil (4 for 30) and James Duckett (3 for 16) were the main wicket-takers and nearly snared the win. To go so close

and lose was frustrating, as the young fifths have been continually improving and are possible final contenders if results go their way next week.

2 Mar 2024

Rain affects firsts as 2nd Grade go for Minor Premiership.

At Bankstown Oval, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs captain Daniel Solway lost the toss and was asked to bowl. With less than half the available overs being able to be played, it was a stilted day in the field. After 46.3 overs, the game was halted with the visitors at 2 for 115 - with wickets to Ryan Felsch (1 for 26) and Niran Wijewardene (1 for 5). The Dogs will be hoping for fine weather next week so the side can finish the season positively against the strong Easts outfit.

Second Grade

Captain Mitch Hinds lost the toss at Waverley Oval and was asked to bat first. The Dogs showed their depth and why they are at the top of the 2nd Grade ladder, hoping to take out the Minor Premiership. Opener Hinds was excellent in his sterling contribution of 56 runs, which included nine fence shakers. However, young Ryan Freeman continues to excel, and this week was another example of his ability to defend and attack where needed. Freeman was unlucky not to attain another century with a stoic 94 - which had the vociferous Dogs’ supporters in full song. Freeman provided the backbone of the innings and with support for Ayden Brown (32) and Alex Kouventaris (31), helped the Dogs attain a solid 258 despite being all out within their allotted overs. This early innings finish was turned into the Dogs’ advantage as the Roosters are already behind the 8-ball having lost three early wickets for just 28 runs. Brown was the key destroyer with 2 for 16 and showed his all-round ability. Next week the Dogs will look to press home their very strong position and secure the Albert Cup Minor Premiership.

Third Grade

At Kelso Park North, captain Brett Collison won the toss and sent the Roosters into bat. He may have regretted this decision as the visitors snuck away to reach 7 for 223 after 74 overs. While young spinner Nicholas Freedman bagged an excellent 4 for 86, the Dogs were always chasing their tails and never really took control of the match, despite two early wickets when they had the Roosters at 2 for 7 with pace doing the

damage. Alas, the middle and lateorder batsmen were able to firm up their innings and reach a solid total that may require the Dogs to dig deep next week.

Fourth Grade

At Trumper Park, the James Hawkswothled fours are in a strong position to fight their into the finals series, albeit in 8th position. Against a much higher-ranked Roosters, the Dogs won the toss and bowled first, which yielded immediate results. Wickets kept tumbling as the Dogs’ bowlers piled on the pressureso much so that the Roosters lost four wickets without adding the score as they went from 6 for 100 to 9 for 100. With the Roosters all out for 109 after 36 overs and Chris Stefanish the pick with four wickets for 41 the Dogs were in control of the match. In reply, the Bulldogs are already 2 for 90 and only need 20 runs to secure victory next week. With Cooper McMahon on 29 not out, and Muhammad Talha 22 not out, it should only take a few overs for first innings points and hopefully secure a finals berth.

Fifth Grade

Captain Max Condon lost the toss at Grahame Thomas Oval and was asked to bat. Fortunately, Condon aimed up and held his nerve as captain to protect his wicket and fight his way to a hard-earned 66. The young and inexperienced Dogs played very well against a strong Easts side running 3rd in the competition. In trying conditions, including one long rain break, the young Dogs are 8 for 145 and can hopefully add plenty of runs to reach a defendable total next week.

16 Mar 2024

Sharks’ bite no match for Bulldogs bowlers

In the second-grade qualifying final held at Memorial Oval last Saturday and Sunday, the Bulldogs bowlers bared their teeth and ferociously decimated the Sharks’ batting. Winning the toss and batting first, captain Mitch Hinds’ men took full advantage of the beautifully prepared wicket courtesy of Nick Mamolis and his team from Canterbury-Bankstown City Council. Opener Joel Brockley showed tremendous concentration and determination to provide the backbone for the Dogs’ innings. With both a stoic and sometimes flamboyant 83 runs, Brockley mixed a heads-down approach with the occasional ball being hammered into the fence as he occupied the crease for much of the day’s play. Brockley was well

supported by Hinds, who also reached 50 before being caught. With most other players contributing runs, the Dogs continued to bat on Sunday morning before being dismissed for 289. Normally, this total would have been considered insufficient at Bankstown Oval, but every run is difficult to obtain in a final. Indeed, when the Sharks batted, their teeth were missing as they crumbled to be all out for just 71 runs. Spinner Justin Felsch was the pick with four wickets for just ten runs and had the pleasure of taking the final Shark scalp to wrap up the match. Mitch Constantinou took 3 for 15 and Ayden Brown 2 for 10, which points to the skill and depth of the Bulldogs’ bowling machine, who hunted in packs to send the Sharks out of the competition. Next week, Bankstown take on Northern District at Bankstown Oval, with a place in the grand final up for grabs. Play commences at 9.45 am.

Fourth grade

At Mike Pawley Oval, the Bulldogs’ batsmen failed to stand up after being sent in by Manly-Warringah. Only Matthew Fitzgerald (31) scored over 30, and the Dogs’ batsmen failed to adapt to the conditions. Being all out for 111 against the top-ranked side, captain James Hawkesworth was hoping newly-announced Bankstown Sports Player of the Year Chris Stefanish could continue his purple bowling patch, and he produced two early wickets. While the Dogs snared a few more, the match slipped their fingers as Manly piled on a partnership of over 160 runs for the 5th wicket to put the game out of reach. At 5 for 238, the match was called with the Dogs’ season over.

23 Mar 2024

Bulldogs muscle their way into the Albert Cup grand final.

At Bankstown Memorial Oval on Saturday and Sunday, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs showed they are genuine premiership contenders with a hardfought win against last year’s finalists Northern District. Captain Mitch Hinds lost the toss and was asked to field, and it seemed like the wicket was full of spiders for both sides as the slow bowlers wreaked havoc with spin bowling accounting up for most of the 17 wickets lost on Saturday. Indeed, Justin Feslch and Mitch Constantinou were all over the visitors like a cheap suit as wickets kept tumbling and prevented partnerships from forming. Felsch finished with the

stunning figures of 5 wickets for just 44 runs off 28.2 overs, which included 6 maidens. Constantinou was incredibly unlucky not to snare more as he was creating chances with almost every ball to finish with 2 for 37 off 23 overs. Not to be outdone, paceman Ayden Brown chipped in with 2 wickets at crucial times (2 for 18 off 8). Having rolled the visitors for what seemed like a miserly total of just 137 off 69.2 overs, the Bulldog’s run chase was on with plenty of time and overs remaining in the first day. Again, Felsch showed his all-round ability by top-scoring with 52 when batting in the middle order. This was after opener Riley Kingsell set the pace with a hardearned 45 off 85 balls. Unfortunately, many other Bulldogs batsmen fell to spin without troubling the scorers too much. At the end of Saturday, the Dogs were 7 for 107 - still needing a further 31 runs to win on first innings. At the resumption of play on Sunday, the Dogs finally passed the Northern District’s total - but only managed to be 11 runs ahead when all out for 148. So, the day promised an exciting potential outright result and pointed to some necessary strategic decisions – none more than the sporting declaration by the visitors on Sunday after batting 5 for 156 - with a lead of 146 runs. Constantinou was the pick with 3 for 44 and took his tally to 5 for the match, and Felsch’s single wicket to 6 wickets for the match. With 51 overs still to bowled on Sunday afternoon, the Dogs either had to get the runs and win outright or not be bowled out before surpassing Northern District’s total. Chasing victory and a likely home grand final next weekend, the Bulldogs’ batsmen knuckled down to do their job. Again, Kingsell showed his class and ability with a stoic 54 off 90 balls with some glorious drives and deft placement behind the wicket and also a few chances to give the Dogs’ chase some momentum. Along with Ryan Freeman (22) and Alex Kouventaris (18 not out), hard-hitting ‘keeper Cameron Middleton (20 not out off 17 balls) had the honour of belting three massive sixes to get the Dogs a hard-earned but ultimately dominant outright victory.

But it was Feslch’s first innings performance with both ball and bat that ensured the Dogs’ march on to the 3-day Grand Final at Bankstown Oval next Saturday, Sunday, and Monday against Western Suburbs, who defeated minor premiers Manly-Warringah.

30 Mar 2024

Bulldogs silence Magpies dominantwithwin.

Over the three-day Easter long weekend, the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs took on their neighbours, the Western Suburbs Magpies, in the second grade Grand Final at Bankstown Memorial Oval. The ground was picturesque and prepared to an impeccable standard by Nick Mamolis and his support team, who take great pride in the facility.

Captain Mitch Hinds won the toss and elected to bat on the new wicket. While scoring was slow by usual standards, being higher up on the ladder meant this was not an issue, provided a sizeable total was attained. Indeed, by the end of day one, the Bulldogs had growled enough to get to 7 for 269 and were looking very solid. Opener Riley Kingsell continued his good form with a welldeserved 55 to help provide the batting impetus. Similarly, while batting at 4, Ryan Freeman scored extremely well with his 78, which included 30 runs off boundaries into and over the fence as he punished anything loose. He may rue the chance of a missed century that was clearly in his sights as he never looked like getting out. Nevertheless, the Dion Bourne Scoreboard was ticking over nicely as there were a few crucial and substantive partnerships between Kingsell and Freeman and then Justin Felsch and Ayden Brown, with last match’s star Felsch also scoring 51 and Brown at 26 not out at the end of the day.

Day two saw the Dogs’ wickets fall quicker than planned. Although Brown got to 30, the Dogs were out after just 45 minutes of play on Easter Sunday, so the Easter Bunny was not too happy being all out for 287. It must be said that runs in finals are usually ‘worth more’ than round matches due to the pressure of the occasion. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs bowlers strangled the Magpies out of the match and gave nothing away. Every single run was hard earnt. So much so, only one Magpie batsman scored over 20 runs on day two - despite them facing 86 overs - and, there were only 4 boundaries. With runs almost impossible to get and the run rate very low early on, wise cricketers on the sideline suggested Wests were backing themselves into a hole by simply not scoring enough. Indeed, the Dogs’ bowlers took full advantage of their timidity with willow and struck regularly - and were incredibly economical. Although they were

wicketless, Felsch bowled 20 overs for just 17 runs and Zane Mitchell bowled 11 overs for just 15 runs and Brown 21 runs off 10 overs. This highlights the Magpies’ inability to score off tight, coordinated bowling. This pressure and lack of runs could only lead to one outcome.

With the first wicket falling at 35, there was a slow but steady procession of wickets after that - with the opening partnership of 35 being the Magpies’ best. Spinner Mitch Constantinou and medium-pacer Gurinder Hara then took apart the Wests batsmen. Wests had no answers as both bowlers snared four wickets each in a team bowling effort that yielded great results for the home team. Hara was at his probing best with 4 for 28 off 19 overs and was unplayable at times. Constantinou’s partner at the other end was equally troublesome and sometimes turned the ball sideways. With Constantinou’s 4 for 40 off 26 overs, the pair had done the business and the damage. Wests were in trouble at the end of the second day at 8 for 124 - still needing 15 runs to avoid the follow-on.

On Monday, in glorious sunshine, Brown, with a great yorker and the ever-probing Hara, helped finish off the Wests’ innings with only seven runs added; the Magpies were still seven runs behind the followon target. Hara finished with the Man of the Match Award figures of 5 for 28 off 21.3 overs. Captain Hinds had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on. At lunch, the Magpies had lost 3 for 54, and the Wests graciously conceded defeat with a truly dominant Bulldogs performance that saw the side crowned 2023-24 season Albert Cup Premiers.