Finally, after months of off season planning The Muddies returned to the field in C Grade Sunday morning at Griffiths 2 against one of two C Grade Rovers teams.

Winning the toss, captain Steve Doble chose to bowl despite being one player short on a well prepared grassy track. He was keen to check out his new line up that included just three of last season’s players.

Success came in just the third over with keeper Thwaite accepting a skied catch off Palmer. Tight bowling from a luckless Bronson Ryan kept the pressure on before Ryan himself accepted a sharp chance at second slip off new player Rob Gaul - 2/16 in the 12th over.

Not expecting to bowl himself, Doble took a chance with some straight yet full deliveries, removing Rover’s Number 3 batsman with his fifth delivery and batsman Number 4 in his fifth over.

A progression of wickets saw Rovers 6/79 in the 30th over as Miglioranza worked toward match figures of 11 overs 4/45 The Muddies allowed some solid batsmen to get away with a seventh wicket partnership of 65.

Palmer (3/41 off 14) took the last two wickets to wrap up Rovers on 177, up to 100 runs shy of a respectable total considering the outfield assisted everything through the in field to reach the boundary.

The pre-season training did not pay off for Doble, opening the batting, as a lapse in concentration saw him flay at a rising delivery to top edge a catch to Rover’s keeper.

Opener Thwaite looked to have retained his talents of past years with 10 not out, and newcomer Darlington looked equally as solid at Number 3 as the two put on 19 runs by close of play.

A solid performance and suited shot placement could see the C grade team return with a win next week.