Sport

Unleash bark to win Twenty20 Cup final

Stories by

MICK STEPHENSON

THE Bankstown Sports Bulldogs easily won the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup Grand Final at Memorial Oval on Australia Day.
The Daniel Solway-led side has carried all before them throughout the ‘Thunder Conference’ half of the T20 competition and were highly motivated to be crowned NSW T20 Champions after falling just short of winning the title last season.
The barking Bulldogs played an exciting brand of cricket all tournament and took the sting out of the ‘Sixers Conference’ winning University of NSW Bumble Bees.
The home side hammered 6-184 which put plenty of pressure on the visitors to chase down the imposing target. It was a stellar start by the Bulldogs batsmen with Nick Carruthers exploding into action from the first ball.
The rampaging opener hammered a spectacular 41 off just 15 deliveries, including four towering sixes.
Carruthers’ opening partner Solway was more technically correct in style but just as effective on the scoreboard, compiling a majestic 56.
Solway was in terrific touch, driving sweetly, unleashing elegant square cuts and powerful pull shots. He deservedly won the ‘Player of the Final’ Medal.
Youngster Zeeshaan Ahmed contributed a free flowing 26 – he is displaying solid form in all formats of the game this season and definitely a rising star of the game. Jake Cormack again impressed with 28 to continue his stellar season while ever reliable Daniel Nicotra added a useful 17 at the death.
The Students started their reply confidently with a 28-run stand but that was the end of their resistance. Once again, the Bulldog bowlers worked in pairs to ensure maximum pressure on all batsmen.
Left arm spinner Ben Taylor led the charge with 3-26 and gave the batsmen few options to score without playing high risk shots. Speedster Brad Simpson unleashed some dynamic deliveries snaring 2-15, while the ever-reliable Ben Le Bas captured 2-23 as the visitors were dismissed for 114.
In normal circumstances, the Bulldogs would travel to Adelaide to represent NSW at the National T20 Championships, however Covid restrictions have meant this year’s tournament has been cancelled.