THE Muddies are the toast of the Douglas Shire Cricket Association with both senior grades claiming back-to-back titles.

Winning one premiership is sweet, but going back-to-back is sweeter especially when the whole club can bask in the glory together. The C grade team clinched their double in a cliffhanger last weekend against Rovers, while the first grade side overcame Barron in their four-day B Grade grand final on Sunday.

Douglas Muddies president Ben Vikionkorpi said the club was riding the crest of a glorious wave.

"It was an unreal effort and something that doesn't happen very often," Vikionkorpi said.

"We only have the two grades so for both of us to go back-to-back is just an unbelievable effort. It's reflective of where the club is at and how far we've come. It's just a great club."

Vikionkorpi, who was the Muddies B Grade leading run-scorer for the season with over 400 runs, said the opportunity to achieve something unique started to dawn on the club leading into the finals series.

"In our last games before the semi-finals we really started thinking about settling the teams and getting a good balance in both," he said.

"We definitely knew we had an opportunity to do something special as a club and it's a special feeling to be able to pull it off.

"One of the most satisfying things is that in both grades we had blokes who stood up under pressure."

That man in the B Grade final was Sam Evans. After losing the toss and being sent in, the Muddies were wobbling at 6/52 before Evans hit the crease and blasted 91 to dig them out of a hole. He cleared the rope five times during his knock and smashed five boundaries to ensure his side posted a respectable 172, setting them on the path to victory.

Douglas Cricket Association leading wicket-taker Daniel Redfern was also pivotal claiming 5/34 to help the Muddies knock Barron over for 108 in their first innings. On a difficult wicket the Muddies posted 107 in their second dig to set Barron a target of 171 for victory, a bridge to far eventually bowling them out for 150.

RELATED COVERAGE:
<link muddies-b-grade-cap-off-wonderful-year.13595.0.html>Muddies B Grade grand final report
<link muddies-c-grade-back-to-back-premiers.13578.0.html>Muddies C Grade grand final report

Vikionkorpi said the key to both grades success was playing good cricket early in the season.

"Playing cricket in Cairns you know that if you're on top at Christmas you are looking good and both grades were in that position," he said.

"The rain comes in the second half of the year, so if you do the hard work at start of season it really sets you up because you have everyone chasing you.

"There is a lot less pressure and you can just focus on what you need to do as a club rather than chasing points.

"I think that's been a key to our success as a club, we've been able to set ourselves up early in the season."

The C Grade Muddies clinched their flag last weekend with a hard fought nine-run victory against Rovers, successfully defending 170 thanks to an inspired performance from opening paceman Pete Gilmour (5/40).