by Roy Weavers

It was third time lucky for Port Douglas B Grade Cricket as they convincingly beat Cairns Norths in the semi final of the One Day competition last Saturday.

The Muddies broke their semi final jinx having lost at this stage in both 2009 and 2010.

Port Douglas batted first and a solid foundation was laid over the first 10 overs by the opening pair of Josh McConnell and Sammy Evans before Evans was caught for 20 with the score on 36. McConnell followed just eight runs later in the following over. 

It looked like the start was going to be wasted with the Muddies slipping to 6 for 59 after just 17 overs.  The rot was stopped by Ben Vikiokorpi (25) and Darryl Mison (25no) who studiously got the Muddies back into the game with a partnership of 39 runs in 17 overs.

In fact Mison carried his bat through the rest of the innings with Matt Mitchell (13) and Sheldon Walz (15) holding their own at the other end to finish on 145 all out after 43 overs. 

Norths started cautiously as they could not even get an edge on the ball as Mitchell and Vikionkorpi were bowling exceptionally well, and were only on nine runs when their first wicket fell. 

The procession of batters leaving the field continued on a regular basis and but for the determination of Norths number five, Jessop, who finished with 55 and a spirited cameo by their number nine, Cav (21), Norths would not have put up half the fight they eventually managed.

Muddies opening bowler Vikionkorpi took the vital first wicket and then the honours were shared between Darryl Mison with 2 for 25 from 10 overs, Matt Mitchell 3 for 20 in 8.4overs and Sheldon Walz with 3 for 26 runs off 9 overs. 

The Norths fell short of the Muddies total by 18 runs finishing on 127 all out. It should be mentioned that the man of the match went to Jessop from The Norths who took two catches as wicket keeper, two wickets as bowler and 55 runs as the main batter. Not bad for a guy who's just come back from a long layoff!

The Muddies now progress to the final this coming Sunday at Griffiths Park 1 starting at 10am.

C Grade fall at the final post by just 1 run

Atherton batted first at the Muddies' home ground in Port Douglas and everything looked like it was on schedule for a good start as Dave Joyce took a wicket with just his second ball of the match. 

The second fell comfortably with Atherton sitting on just 15 runs after eight overs and the Muddies kept the pressure up achieving 5 for 53 at the 23rd over. 

But there was a problem for the Muddies and his name was Boressen.  He carried his bat throughout the innings finishing with a magnificent effort scoring 94 runs off 154 balls. 

In comparison, only two other batters from Atherton managed double figures.  So Atherton finished on 160 runs all out. 

The bowling standout was young David Coulthard who took 5 for 26 in his 10 overs with two of those wickets coming in his tenth over.  Dave Joyce finished with 3 for 23 off his 10 over allocation with Simon Cody (1 for 39) and Captain Steve Doble finishing the innings by taking the last wicket with the fifth ball of his only over.

The Muddies took on the task carefully with Captain Doble (17) and Jack Goodall(11) taking them through to the unlucky thirteenth over before Goodall fell to Cockburn with the score on 34. 

Dave Joyce (13) pushed the Muddies on to 58 after five more overs before falling again to Cockburn.  Steve Doble fell shortly after the arrival of Miglioranza which saw Coomb come to the centre. 

He and Miglioranza put on another 25 runs before Coomb was caught off Wade.  David Coulthard formed an admirable partnership before he too was caught off Wade with the score on 5 for 123 and the match poised for a cliffhanger. 

Miglioranze was bowled by Edwards and Simon Cody looked set to take the C Grade Muddies to their first Grand Final for four seasons.  However fate had another plan and when Cody was stumped trying to seal the win and the Muddies lost by one run finishing on 159 all out.

A win would have seen the Muddies join the B Grade in their respective One Day Grand Final but now it is down to percentages and calculators.  The final league table should be known by Thursday of this week, so fingers crossed for the decimal points to fall in the right column.

Whatever the final outcome, congratulations should go to Captain Steve Doble and Simon Cody and their team for putting in a wonderful effort this year.  If it is not to be the Grand Final this year then it just makes the determination all the stronger for next year especially with this squad that has grown in stature all year.

The two day competition continues immediately after this weekend of One Day finals so it's back to the training nets to ensure both Grades push on to those Grand Finals in March.