The Port Douglas Court House Mudcrabs Cricket Club managed to get their second 3rd Grade game finished despite the best efforts of the unseasonal early season rain.

Skipper Steve Doble lost the toss and Barron River made their ill fated decision to bat.  The Muddies opened their bowling attack with Shane Palmer who bowled very tightly for 0 for 11 off his 7 overs out of the 35 aloted overs, supporting Dave Joyce who made the early break through finishing with 3 wkts for 11 runs off his 7 overs.

Nick Carling came on first change and contributed to the strangle hold the Muddies had over a weakened Barron River opposition with 1 wkt for 7 runs off his quick two over spell.  Then the Muddies unleashed their surprise package of the day with Kendall Samkin from New Zealand who took two wickets with his first two balls for the club. 

His spell of just 4.1 overs for 4 runs ably assisted by Simon Cody 2 wkts for 14 runs off 6 overs finally broke the back of the Barron defence and they were skittled out for just 48 runs with only the extras hitting double figures.

The Muddies opened the batting with Captain Steve Doble and wicketkeeper Sam Evans on a difficult damp wicket but it was the run out of Doble that ended a promising opening partnership on 18 runs.

Evans was joined by Nick Carling and they pushed the score along to 40 before Evans was bowled for 22 runs. New signing this year, Simeon Miglioranza took advantage of his opportunity batting at number 5 with a powerful and dominating display of controlled hitting to reach 48 before being caught out as last wicket for the innings. 

In fact the Muddies surpassed their opposition total to take the points in just their 10th over.  The Muddies took advantage of their supremacy to get some valuable 'out in the middle' batting practice but were finally bowled out for a total of 132 in the 29th over of their 35 rain shortened allocation. 

This rain effected start to the season has seen just two games completed but both have been emphatic wins for the 3rd Grade so the Muddies are living up to their name and obviously enjoying the wet conditions.

We should stop for a moment and feel a little bit of sympathy for our championship winning 2nd Grade team who have yet to set foot on the cricket field. They had a bye in the first round and their next trip to Tully was rained off both days and have another bye in the next round. This will total 5 weeks for the 2nd Grade before any leather hits the willow. 

But if training sessions are anything to go by, their first game will be well worth watching 'cos they are like caged lions waiting to be unleashed!

Next and first 2nd Grade game is on Oct 30th at Fretwell Park, Cairns in the 20/20 A Grade comp and the next 3rd Grade game is at Home on Oct 17th vs Mareeba in the One Day comp starting 10am...Go the Muddies!