By Steven Doble

Astute Financial Muddies third grade started their 6 week away game stint in style last Sunday, winning the toss and batting Vs Norths at Griffith Park Cairns.

With a few changes to accommodate second grade needs, Keith Taylor returned to his opening spot with skipper Doble, only to be back in the shade after 4 deliveries and one too many cut shots, caught behind for 2, 1/3.

In form Sheldon Walz ranked third in the grade batting aggregates joined the skip (ranked forth) but he fell victim to a tough LBW call for a miserly 7 as Muddies faltered to 2/13 on an absolute batting paradise.

Damian Darlington who formerly opened the batting but with recent key bowling responsibilities has moved to number four let his first delivery go, typically wound up for a woolly woosh ball two (and missed), but ball five went sailing into the heights of neighboring trees off the arena and his well know intent was underway.

Doble the rock saw off the opening bowlers with some caution as Darlington added to the breeze in the centre and the pair managed a 50 run stand over the next ten overs, 2/65 off 17. This became 2/117 after another ten overs, celebrating a 100 run partnership as the pair piled pressure on the bowlers.

Doble scoring at half the rate of Darlington tried to keep his partner calm although experience should have seen him not bother as DD continued with arms and bat flaying at most deliveries, many made it to or over the boundary, others through fielders' hands and several not even connecting.

The 100 run partnership became 150 as Doble brought up his half century ahead of Darlington's second century for the club. The skipper gave instruction that 220 was a declaration target and 15-20 minutes the avenue to deliver it as he selfishly threw his wicket away on 55 stumped in pursuit of the team's needs, 3/182.

Young star Levi Trewick joining the team from U16 was given latitude to continue the spree and managed 17 off 11 deliveries losing the centurion DD (124 off 96 balls) at 4/209 and Matt Schiesser produced a quick 5 for the declaration of 4/221 off 41 overs!

Knowing 20 wickets were required the Muddies bowlers with 11 allotted overs began well as Barnes fielding aggressively managed a confused run out, 1/8 then followed up with bowling Norths number two and three.

Schiesser's lack of luck with the ball continued as a dropped catch saw Norths limp to 3/15 off 12 overs ready for the March Of The Crabs next week where the lads will eye off their second outright win.