By Steve Doble

Chasing down 295 for victory was not necessarily as tall an ask as generally it may seem, given a depleted Mareeba attack and a super fast outfield.

Add to that Muddies had put together what on paper was a fairly onimous batting line up, albeit a little underdone in training/practise for some.

The proven partnership of Darlington "The Striker" and Doble "The Rock" managed a great start before the latter was caught low at first slip for 10, 1/51 off 14.

Nathan "The Rock 2" Taig continued with Darlington, who rode his luck in the outfield but scored the bulk of runs in a second wicket partnership of 46 before Taig toed one, caught for 4, 2/97.

Sam Leo had looked very threatening in the nets but holed out forth ball without troubling the scorers before Ethan McCullough partnered Darlington to his maiden ton, 101 off 101 balls in an aggressive display of power hitting before finally a fielder managed to hold a catch from him.

Cody (1) was dispappointed with his return to the Muddies but Tom Goodall following on from his first Senior scalps last week managed some lusty shots with McCullough, both batsmen falling to second top innings scores of 17. New member Raj "The Dentist" Padakad impressed with a square pull for a boundary first ball but found himself wandering back to the shed shortly after to see Muddies 7/156.

Another new member and described by some as the most "Aussie" bloke you could meet -  but by others as "Shut Up" - Glenn MacDonald, also looked the goods producing a quick 10 before running himself out.

Dan "The Redderz" Redfern bamboozled himself with lusty swings and misses announcing he could not see a thing on his return of 2 stumped and then failed to fine himself for such a silly admitance, leaving Tom Goodall as the last wicket and Michael Schulz the pace bowler without facing a delivery, Muddies all out 181.

A reasonable result compared to team averages, but still weak without Darlington's impressive knock.

Mareeba were left with 11 overs at the end of play and with players other than their top 3 given a go, Muddies destroyed them, taking 5 wickets for 39 and redeeming some extra points margins for the ladder, wickets to Schultz, Redderz and Taig.

Result - Mareeba won 1st innings points
            Mareeba 8/294 & 5/39 Vs Muddies 10/181

Given school holidays and other sports ending, Muddies hope to improve their available players in both sides for next week's C Grade game at home, starting 8.30am Sunday against Norths, who also lost their first round match.