C Grade Muddies played a revised 30/30 one day match versus Barron River on Sunday.

Winning their fourth toss in a row, the Muddies chose to bat in a bid to establish a tough chase for Barron on a wicket that looked like a back yard track conjured up by Dad and his mates in the rain.

The surface was shiny and void of grass blades or runners but seemingly dry on top, hiding what was quickly evident as soft underneath.
 
Evans faced a first-up wide and the Muddies were away with a quick single called by Doble second ball. But it was the second over that rewrote the records.

14 balls long with a generous (or embarrassed) umpire not calling the final two deliveries that failed to shadow the side crease as well – five wides, three no balls, two beamers in a row resulted in the bowler being warned of going on report and removed from the attack! 0-13 after 2 overs and nothing off the bat’s face.

Communicating well to one another about how to play a pitch that offered no bounce on occasions, Evans and Doble went on to contribute the best batting partnership of either innings.

Finally, one did bounce, finding the edge of Doble’s bat playing a square pull and the ball wedging in the keepers out stretched gloves' webbing - 1/36 in the ninth over.

Bowler “Date” went on to take 4/25, including two great Caught and Bowled dismissals of Evans (29) and a luckless Muller (0). Miglioranza (21) bludgeoned a few boundaries (one claimed by his partner to be six off the back of the bat) and Gaul built a nice innings of 34.

Muddies' debutant, Adam Lucas, was 15no when 14 year old Kaiden Sorensen in his first senior game fell bowled trying to add quick runs for two - all out 10 balls short at 143.

Blessed with almost twice as many bowlers as needed, Ryan (0/14 off 5) and Joyce (3/19 off 10) opened for the Muddies. Joyce broke through in his second over at 1/4 before Singh was brought into the attack prior to drinks to replace Ryan.

At the break, Barron River had weathered a storm and bad pitch conditions but kept wickets in tact at 2/32 off 15, leaving 112 off the next 15 overs.

With further wickets in the 16th, 17th and two in the 19th over, Barron’s chase was all but over and oddly, with no desire for points, their skipper shut up shop.

The Muddies failed to take another wicket with Lucas and Sorensen bowling out eight overs, 0/1 between them and Barron scoring being very barron with just 4/12 in the second 15 overs and 6/44 at the end of 30.

It was a solid win with good energy and spirit by the C grade team who seem to be building great winning momentum.

This week it is off to Fretwell, Sunday 12.30pm vs Mulgrave. Training is planned on the turf centre wicket on Tuesday and look out for Trivia Night details released this week for Friday 25 November at the Port Douglas Yacht Club. 

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