After finally losing a toss, Muddies C grade were put in the field to play second placed Rovers at home on Sunday afternoon.

The 30/30 one day match was slow to start, with some tight but wicketless bowling by Singh and Ryan seeing the visitors 0/8 after 4 overs.

Both openers returned for second spells that saw returns of 0/11 by Singh off the allotted maximum 6 overs and a fruitful 3/23 for Ryan, including two very good catches by Ryan and Doble.

It was Chandra who got the initial break throughs firstly via a run out, followed by bowling Rovers’ number 3 batsmen.

Spinner, Walz, dismissed the key Rovers opener when he was looking set on 30, although Walz’ figures of 2/42 did not do justice to his challenging length and speed through the air.

At drinks Rovers were 4/70 and Muddies did well at the death to contain them to 9/148 with 4 wickets falling in the last 5 overs.

Muddies openers, Doble and Evans, were challenged by some excellent line and length giving them little to leave and after one boundary Evans (12) was adjudged LBW to a foot crushing yorker on leg stump.

Doble (2) was somewhat unlucky to also be adjudged LBW to a ball Rovers' fielders said would have missed a second set of stumps, leaving the Muddies looking shaky after being 0/20 to collapse to 4/28.

The in form Darlington (2) was caught at slip and Gaul, with a six off his third ball, was then caught on the fourth ball he faced.

Daniel Harris (12) occupied the crease for six overs and Muller, following consecutive ducks, also looked set for five overs compiling 13 before being bowled after drinks.

The tail failed to wag with four ducks leaving Chandra stranded on 2 off 21 balls, all out for 65 with 14 overs to spare.

Skipper, Doble, commended the Rovers' bowlers, but stated “our batting was appalling with basically only three batsmen valuing their wicket. This ultimately cost us a game where conditions would have allowed a tight end to the run chase.”

The Muddies play United at Cazaly’s Stadium on Sunday at 8.30am and some fortunate players may benefit from testing the ground under lights for an A Grade T20 bash at 6.30pm Friday 9 December in which The Mudcrabs field a combined B/C Grade team to take on the top level in Far North Cricket.

It's free entry for spectators with Junior T20 games at 4.30pm onward. 

Look for a familiar face on The Newsport Social page.