The Muddies C Grade team chose to bat after winning the toss at home in their 30 over clash against a disciplined line and length attack from Mulgrave Punjabi last Sunday.

Mulgrave Punjabi got off to a great start with the Muddies struggling at 1/11 off 7 overs. 

Darlington again opened the batting and built a fantastic innings void of his early season “big swings with no dings” as he went on to top score with 46.

Darlington’s innings was controlled before unleashing his power late in the innings when Muddies were in a strong position, scoring three sixes off his last six scoring shots.

Play was regularly held up by over zealous and mainly unnecessary appealing from the opposition before the umpires gathered mid pitch and instructed Punjabis’ Captain to control his team.

Muller batting at three again contributed 8, but when dismissed at 2/22 a third of the way through their overs, skipper Doble did not hesitate in elevating pinch hitter Bronson Ryan from number 11 to number four to try and get some real momentum.

The decision paid off with well placed shots in short time amassing 25 of a 33 run partnership, 3/61 at the midway point.

Saint (11), Laws (9), Hilditch (6) and new player Kerrod Andrews (6) who looked every bit a batsman, all worked the total passed 120, scoring their runs quickly, unafraid to sacrifice their wicket for the betterment of the team.

Sheldon Walz remained 16 not out with a massive six at the death, followed by Singh scoring 3 off the only ball he faced, Muddies 8/151.

Having seen the Punjabi batting earlier in the season, Doble warned the team that they were in for a lot of cross bat shots and to remain focussed. This proved correct as Punjabi were on target at 1/50 off 11 overs.

Singh (0/11) bowled a luckless 3 overs, whilst Walz spun through his 6 overs for 2/29 and Ryan at one stage on a hat trick broke the opposition back returning 3/21.

Catching was sound with Doble taking two skied to mid on, whilst Darlington and Law took sharp chances at slip and gully. The keeping of 15 year old debutant Will Bendle also showed plenty of promise.

Hilditch (to the envy of some of his team mates) was tossed the ball with Mulgrave Punjabi reeling at 6/85. Spanked off his first ball (a full toss on leg) and conceding 15 off 4 balls, Hilditch was left laughing with two wickets off the other two balls of his over, including a ball that swung, cut and bounced fiercely (his words!) to clean bowl Punjabi number 10 for a duck.

Another wicket in his second over and more runs off his next saw Hilditch buying 3/35 off 3 overs. Saint (1/28 off 5) struggled with gripping the ball resulting in some easier shots to Punjabi, although he got a stumping reward in his fifth over to finish their innings, all out for 129, with their skipper stranded on 28 off 15 balls.

Watched by Muddies B Grade due to a wash out, the boys really enjoyed their support and the club took a great win to finish the year.

The next game will be a courageously combined B/C team fielded in the A grade T20 competition under lights at Cazaly’s on 6 January at 6.30pm. B grade play at home on Sunday 8 January at 1pm, while C Grade venture to the unknown Kerribee Park at Mareeba also on 8 January at 1.30pm. 

Missed a local sports story? Check out our Sports Archive.