A crushing defeat by Mulgrave Punjabi over Mareeba, and Muddies Greens’ close-to-outright win last week saw Muddies Green escalate to be top of the ladder.

This meant Mareeba dropped to third heading into the last two-day qualifying match at Port Douglas on Sunday.

Despite Muddies' position, with only the top two teams playing off in the finals they still effectively have to win to secure their spot.

They were off to a positive start winning the toss and choosing to bat, but Darlington’s rather challenging call of 'yes' saw Miglioranza run out after opening his account with a lovely boundary in just the second over.

Conditions were hot and the initial bowling of Brewer and Shaw kept scoring tight from the watchful duo of Darlington and Doble before Doble (8) was caught behind in the 15th over - 2/26.

Redfern began well and looked set with numerous scoring shots and a life, but holed out for 23, 9 overs later, to be Adams' (4/29) first scalp taking Muddies to 3/59.

Freyling had impressed in his first game back, but did not carry on with his stylish “on the ground” scoring, getting a start with 12 “through the air” before being dropped and then bowled on the next fuller delivery.

His roommate, Butters, strode to the crease with big back lifts to his lusty 23 off fewer balls, whilst Darlington continued to be the rock scoring watchfully during his 37 overs at the crease.

At 102 Muddies lost him for 40 off 110 balls to the only LBW of the innings. With half the team dismissed history would unfortunately show Muddies could be all out for 120 or less, but Walz (24) and Sorensen (17) combined following Butters’ dismissal for a 29 run stand, all out for 169.

The result was more about batting depth than tail wagging, well done lads!

Two overs were bowled at Mareeba with neither batsmen scoring so the game is well poised for next Sunday afternoon at 1pm.