It was a day to forget for the B Grade Muddies who, despite winning the toss on their home turf of the Port Douglas Sports Complex, are staring at an outright defeat against Norths.

Skipper, Nathan King, elected to bat on what was described as "a very grassy wicket," and Norths took full advantage by removing Glen Ives for a duck in the third over.

Ryan Thwaites, elevated from C Grade after a brilliant batting performance last week, held firm until being caught for 11 after an uppish drive was caught at cover.

Evergreen Keith Taylor was caught behind after a controversial umpiring decision sent him back to the pavilion, and Josh McConnell failed to trouble the scorer as his straight drive was well caught by the bowler.

Shane Palmer looked in good form but was another Muddies player who couldn't keep the ball on the floor, the team eventually being bowled out for a poultry 52.

With the Muddies in the field earlier than they would have liked, and with blistering heat making ball-handling difficult, the bowlers started well restricting Norths' scoring.

14 year-old David Coulthard was on fire with 3-13 until Norths' giant W. Lummis took to him to blow his figures out somewhat. Coulthard, however, finished the day with his first B Grade five wicket haul (5-42 from 11 overs).

Ives' keeping was a feature of the day, taking a catch which went unrewarded by the umpire much to the dismay of the Muddies' fielders.

Luck continued to elude Ives, missing a stumping chance off McConnell which would have dismissed Lummis who would eventually top score for Norths with 76.

Another star for Norths' was V. Allayialis who turned in a brilliant all-round performance, making 34 after taking six wickets with the ball.

The Muddies' day continued to falter with three dropped catches halting any momentum the bowlers could muster. However, Norths may have inadvertently helped the Muddies' cause by seeing out the day's play when an early declaration could have had the Muddies' batsmen nervous late in the day.

This could leave the door open for the Muddies to take a surprise outright win for themselves. 

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