The Under 16 Douglas Muddies travelled to Tolga at the weekend to play a two-dayer against Atherton in the Under 16 Cricket Far North Grand Final.

The weather wasn’t looking the best, but a wash-out would mean an automatic win to Atherton, so the Muddies players and their families headed off hoping for the best.

Playing under a very overcast sky with dark clouds swirling past, the Under 16s started their match at midday on Saturday. Atherton won the toss and sent the Muddies team in to bat first.

Ben Shrimpton and Hayden D’Addona opened the batting for the Muddies, making some steady runs in the wet conditions until the fifth over, where Ben was unlucky to be caught behind on 4.

David Coulthard then joined Hayden and they proceeded to make a fantastic partnership, frustrating the Tableland bowlers, who could not take a wicket for the next 27 overs, finishing their first innings of 32 overs at 1/85.

It was the Atherton team’s turn to bat and with some great economic bowling the Muddies kept the opposition’s score at only 9 by the 13th over. After this the luck started to go Tableland’s way when the runs started picking up and an unlucky penalty of 5 runs went to the opposition when the ball hit the keeper’s helmet, which was on the ground at the time.

Ben Shrimpton took the first wicket by bowling out one of their openers, followed by a wicket from Hayden D’Addona with a catch by Nathan Evans.

Ashley Davidson also showed some great bowling, producing two more wickets, both catches with one by Kaiden Sorensen and the other by David Coulthard.
The Atherton team finished their 32 overs at a very close 4/87. With Atherton leading by just two runs at the end of the first innings, the Douglas boys were praying for enough fine weather the next day to see them through to the end of the second innings.

Sunday morning produced some even darker weather, but it held off enough to start the game at 9:30am.

Hayden D’Addona and David Coulthard returned to bat and produced some very fine batting, making an outstanding partnership of 169 runs. Hayden was very excited to achieve his first 50, before being caught out and making his highest score of 71 runs.  David also reached a cricket milestone, receiving a standing ovation by the spectators after reaching his first century and proudly retiring on 107.

Ashley Davidson and Tom Goodall batted the last few overs making 10 and 7 respectively, bringing the Muddies total to 3/212.

Atherton returned to the crease to chase the Muddies score, but some tight bowling and top fielding by the Muddies resulted in some early wickets and reduced the run rate. A great run-out by Hayden D’Addona also took out Atherton’s best batsman.

Bowling stats for the Muddies were Ben 3-12 off 8 overs, Ashley Davidson 3-14 off 8, Hayden 1-5 off 6, Kaiden Sorensen 1-9 off 6, Sean Evans 1-3 off 2, Tom1-36 off 6, David Coulthard 0-7 off 4, Nathan Evans 0-12 off 8, Adon Trewick 0-4 off 2 and Michael Schulz 0-28 off 5.

Ethan McCullough also did an outstanding job, as usual, as wicketkeeper, ably assisting the bowlers.

Atherton finished their final innings all out on 11/137 with the Muddies team taking the victory.  A trophy presentation followed the game with CFN President presenting the Under 16 Muddies team with their well-deserved trophies.

The team stated their appreciation to Coach Bill Coulthard for all of his time over the season.

Presentation for the Douglas Mudcrabs Junior and Senior clubs will be held on Saturday the 24th of March from 12pm to 4pm at the Port Dougals Sporting Club wth a match of cricket between the seniors, juniors and parents.

Need a tradie? Check out our Trades and Services Directory.