THE Astute financial Muddies have made a fantastic start to the season, winning their second game in a closely contested match against Norths Cricket Club.

With the visitors needing just over 70 runs with a full day to bat and seven wickets in hand, the Muddies were going to have to fight to attain first innings points.

With young tearaway Michael Shultz back after a festive weekend and Matt Schiesser full of confidence, the bowling attack was primed.  Neither made an impact on the Norths batsmen but were both tight, Schultz finishing with a tidy 0-5 off as many overs and Schiesser finishing on 0-25 off his nine overs.

It was the dynamic duo of Keel Sorenson and Doug Barnes who bowled in tandem to dash the visitors’ hopes.  The pair took three wickets each in the space of 20 runs, Sorenson extracting spin out of the batting friendly deck and Barnes bowling with metronomic monotony to have Norths all out for 96.

The Muddies returned to the crease to accumulate bonus points and demoralising the understrength guests.  None of the top three made great contributions and it was only the elegant stroke play of Sheldon Walz (31) who mastered the conditions on offer.  Ryan Doble showed promising attacking flair adding 15.

The Muddies don the coloured strip for next week’s game, taking on Mulgrave at home from 1pm.