Losing the toss Muddies Green were happy to bat first despite a shockingly prepared pitch at Crathern Park Trinity Beach in a game against low ranked Barron River.

The openers, inclusive of a growing “sundries” tally, took the score to 28 in the sixth over before Doble (4) failed again, his bat catching on his pad to be clean bowled.

Redfern (2) followed unluckily caught at slip and Darlington (16) played over the top of the ball, also bowled, to have Muddies 3/33.

Gaul, who recently plundered 52 for Muddies Blue, only took four balls to get his first of 16 boundaries via his well-developed back foot - indoor cricket bludgeoning style.

Gaul was offered partnerships with Miglioranza (12), Barnes (10) and Butters (0) as he almost single handily took the score from 3/33 to 6/160, eventually falling for 82 off 51 balls giving Muddies Green an enviable position.

Muddies' player Kaine Freyling looked more stylish than anyone with a chanceless 42 of 25. After 27 overs and during the morning tea break Muddies Green declared their innings at 7/182 with Armour 0 not out.

15 year-old Sorensen was handed the new ball against Barron River’s openers and typical of his consistency in attacking off stump he found the feathered edge of an opener and the number three bat with catches to Armour (wk) in the first over leaving Barron River 2/2.

Butters, also returning to the Muddies, bowled with zest beating the edge and gaining alarming bounce. However, to the calibre of batsmen it was the flatter bowling of Miglioranza (2/6 off 7) that did the job.

Barnes returned 0/4 off 4 overs and Freyling 0/10 off 4 overs to build pressure. Some late looseness from the bowlers saw Barron River take 27 off 3 overs to end the day’s play at 5/84 off 32 overs.

Gaul achieved the run out of the opposition Captain who tripped over his own feet mid pitch.

Next week Muddies Green will aim to quickly finish a young tail and work toward extra points and perhaps even an outright win.