STEVE DOBLE

Yet another weird event for the Muddies Pit as a prelude to Sunday’s double header – again pitch cover pegs were strewn around and covers bunched up at 7am Sunday morning!

“Oh, no! Not vandals again?” The answer would not be known until well past the conclusion of the day’s play and in the meantime accusations flew as Muddies C Grade played first...

Against a visiting Innisfail who sat marginally higher on the ladder the home team were bowling first, just four balls in and Shultz (1/17) bowling one of the best overs he has this season gained first blood, with the top of the off stump peeled back! Ever reliable Scheisser (1/9) not to be outdone by his young opener managed the same in the 4th over of the day to have Innis-failing at 2/8.

Switching to the Barnes show – Mr MyCricket got heavily into the scene with a run out, a catch and then a clean bowled while the skipper managed two other dropped catches off his excellent bowling. Although one of the drops resulted in a run out so only Barnes (2/9) was duped the figures as the team sat happy with Innisfail at 9/52 and just 6 overs remaining. Postans had troubled the batsmen also and during the collapse returned a fine 2/9. Davidson had managed a great run out too but the last wicket was to fall to near half centurion (in age) Matt Muller (1/5) and Redfern the only unlucky bowler to not get a wicket as Innisfail clambered to 70, leaving 10 balls unused.

Chasing another lowish total the Muddies openers did not perform as they did the previous week, Darlington (1) off just the second ball was adjudged not out caught behind despite the leather still attached to the edge of his bat. His chance was wasted caught 3 balls later at 1/1, Doble (14) looked good for a short period until edging consecutive balls, both dropped by the keeper, eventually hitting straight to mid on 2/27. Taylor still miffed at what happened to the covers overnight lost concentration to an odd and potential “chucker” and was caught at fine leg for 4 as Muddies built unnecessary pressure on their middle order at 3/27. 

Davidson (who was afraid to take his helmet off for concern his brain explosion would not be contained) was stumped atrociously for the 4th time this season for 2 which had the home team in the 14th over 4/29! Another player earlier had to run from the field due to a family bereavement so in fact the lads were 5/29 before Postans (4) who had been given new form finding Redfern plenty of support edged a full length delivery into his stumps. It was Redfern (28no) though who captained the T20 Sheraton 5 Stars to victory on Friday night with another not out that saw the lads home with lofted drives and a leg side six assisted by the fielder’s hands, Muddies 5/72 with 7 overs to go.

Port Douglas Police came to the ground late in the day and were notified that a Medivac helicopter had landed at the field overnight. Despite the dangers of metal pegs fouling the propellers or worse stil,l the covers being sucked up, we hope the emergency pick-up went well. Fortunately the covers sustained no damage at all on this occasion.

We also wish well to the Ryan family of Mossman who we understand lost a loved one Sunday mornin

C Grade will be at The Muddies Pit for a 2-week match 1.30pm this Sunday against United. A win will leave the local boys in contention for a finals berth for the second half of the season.