C Grade Muddies can take plenty of positives from their loss to Rovers on Sunday morning in Cairns.

Set 178 to win and 1/19 from last week, Ryan Thwaite and Damien Darlington set about their task with the intent of top order batsmen.

However, both were back in the shade with the total at 3/42 before Muddies best first innings bowler Miglioranza (30 runs) stepped to the crease, putting on a 55 run partnership with an injured (groin) Shane Palmer.

Palmer went on to be unbeaten on 62 after other short partnerships with Evans, Law and a six ball 13 from Gaul.

At 5/144 the Muddies looked set before losing 5/28 in a flurry of shots undoing the lower order.

Full Score Card

At the end of the game Skipper Steve Doble reminded players (including himself) that 1% more from each player would have seen a win for the visiting side rather than a loss.

“Considering we had eight players who were not Muddies last season I feel we put in a reasonably good effort and I certainly got to see the newer players’ strengths and weaknesses and what we all need to work on.

"Certainly a little more value placed on each batsman’s wicket would have seen us with winning points. Nevertheless it was a close loss and we then made in roads to Rover’s top order in their second dig (3 for 2 in 2 overs after a 0/52 start), the belief is there, just a little more application is virtually what we all needed”.

Both grades are at home in Port Douglas hosting United this Sunday starting 8.30am and 1pm, spectators are welcome and the canteen will be open.

Players are reminded there is pressure on selection now the season has started and training is essential Tuesday/Thursday 4pm.