The C Grade Muddies ventured up the range to a dusty, straw white wicket at Kerribee Park in Mareeba on Sunday to play the local unbeaten team.

Blessed with an oversupply of players the Muddies fielded a strong side whilst still offering opportunity to young emerging players like Ben Shrimpton.

Winning the toss, the formula of batting first prevailed with B grade opener Ryan Thwaite falling to a poor offside shot for a duck prior to opener Sam Evans and in form batsman Darlington teaming for a well-paced 94 run partnership.

The latter fell first at 63 after some lusty blows including a lost ball clearing the fence out of the park.

Evans went on to contribute 33 allowing Miglioranza (34) and Gaul (28) to put on a 57 run partnership to leave Muddies with an impressive 5/174 off their 30 overs.

Strong performer Chandra was selected to open the bowling with his slow spin in the absence of fellow Indian Aryan Singh who became another employment statistic in Port, moving to the Sunshine Coast.

Chandra relished the opportunity bowling Mareeba’s opener in his first over followed by some very close LBW appeals and some poor dropped catches from his team mates.

Mareeba were 2/69 after 15 overs, with Saint who again struggled with length managing one bowled; being Mareeba’s other opener for 30.

On paper the Muddies looked in complete control, but they knew that under-graded first grade Mareeba players were still to come in the batting order.

After drinks, skipper Doble was challenged in making bowling decisions given the poor form of Saint, an injured Shrimpton and the maximum of six overs imposed under the 30/30 rules.

Gaul was handed the opportunity and Stallen, with two centuries under his belt, loved the opportunity, taking 35 off his two overs leaving Doble again short in the bowling stakes.

Eventually the game resulted in a loss for the Muddies despite a late order resurgence from Miglioranza (2/27) who took bowling honours for both teams.

Score Card

The reality, however, is that Muddies did have their opportunities to create an upset win with at least three or four catches that should have been taken spilt, and a few tighter chances not being upheld, despite the bowling woes.

To date the side has fielded 27 different players for the season and this lack of stability has not helped a couple of batting collapses and some poor catching. Further changes are likely this week with B Grade seeking some replacements.

C Grade play at home in Port Douglas against a struggling Barron River who, two years ago, bragged about never losing to the Muddies - something that has been entirely reversed ever since!

The game starts at 1.30pm with spectators welcome and refreshments available. 

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