by Joanne Trewick

The drizzly weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Under 12 Muddies cricket team to take on their well respected rivals, the Tolganators from Atherton.

Despite both teams having to cram their skills into 19 overs each due to the wet, parents and spectators were able to watch some great cricket, and the Muddies did themselves proud despite missing three valued players.

Muddies took on the job of batting first up doing a supreme job of making runs on the still boggy ground, 102 for the 19 overs with 4 wickets still in hand.

Hugo Walker (14 runs off 20 balls) was team captain for the match and tied for top score with Levi Trewick (14 runs off 17 balls).

First-up batsman, Luke Twomey put up a fair fight for his wicket but was eventually run out after gaining two runs from the Tolganator opening bowlers. Reuben Allison bravely took his place but was unlucky to be caught out before getting a chance to get off the mark.

Experienced batsman, Daniel Davidson, added 13 to the score, retiring after facing 26 balls. Adon Trewick who was filling in for missing team members, partnered with his brother Levi to contribute 11 off 14 balls, kept his wicket intact and retired.

Some tight bowling from the Atherton team saw the next three batsmen, Nathan Deuble, Ashton Davenport and Ryan Doble all bowled out before they had an opportunity to put big runs on their bat.

Bryce Fabiani put in a solid batting effort for the last couple of overs, partnered by retirees, hitting a nice four on the last ball, bringing the boys to a total of 7/102.

Continued showers on the pitch called for skillful bowling from the Muddies and their fielding did not disappoint either.

The Tolganators opening batsman only got to face four of Nathan Deuble’s balls before the team worked together brilliantly to effect a run out.

Their next batsman was putting runs on the board but Daniel Davidson stopped him in his tracks with a caught and bowled. More of the same to come, as Daniel and Levi again took spectacular catches off their own bowling.

This was beginning to seem like the order of the day, until wickets stopped falling and the Tolganators took advantage with some strong batting quickly adding up their runs on the board.

Two of the more junior players decided this had to stop and took matters into their own hands. Ashton Davenport used his bowling prowess to set up two catches which were both skilfully taken, despite the slippery conditions, by Reuben Allison.

This put the Muddies in better spirits and as a team they were again able to effect a run out with Hugo Walker’s bowling. With only the strongest Atherton batters remaining, Bryce ended the game on a fine note taking a wicket with the last ball of the day.

The Muddies lost by only 31 runs, a heroic effort against the experienced Tableland players. Acting coach Mr Doug Barnes had every reason to be proud of all the boys. 

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