By Ben Vikionkorpi

Why does it rain when cricket grand finals are on? 

Going into a weekend where it looked as if all play would be lost, the Muddies B’s dug in deep on a wet field to produce by far and away their best batting performance of the season against first placed Tully. 

The team finished at 3 / 163 from four hours play.

With the B Grade grand final being played Saturday and Sunday for two weekends, it was always going to be a tough ask to get the same team on the paddock for both weeks. 

It has been made especially hard this time round with Adam Lucas missing week two of the game with his sister’s wedding and Ben Vikionkorpi (coach), Kaiden Sorensen (opening bowler) and Ethan McCullough (wicket keeper)  missing in action due to the Under 19 Schoolboys State Cricket Championship. 

The team's game plan was always to bowl when the Muddies won the toss. But the toss went Tully’s way and with them choosing to bowl, the plan was blown right out of the water. 

A new plan was quickly formed with positive words and outlook from Dan Harris and was duly set upon by Ben Gaske and Simeon Migliorenza. 

Ben and Simeon began the task of batting Tully out of the game with a confidence, determination and pride not seen this season. 

Things looked up when the first ball was a ridiculously short short-ball, bouncing well clear of Ben’s head, then falling short of the keeper, to be let through for byes. 

In the ensuing overs, Ben and Simeon then waited for the ball to be bowled in their areas, and then worked it around the freshly mowed but wet outfield with confident, accurate hitting. 

This quickly dampened the chances of the ball seaming and swinging, making batting just that bit easier. 

Grinding their way to first drinks, Ben and Sim had the Muddies 0/27 from 16 overs. 

Growing in confidence, Simeon then started to lift the scoring with controlled hitting, smashing a four and six in the same over using his fancy hand speed and wrist-flick. 

Ben supported Sim and kept working the ball around ever so patiently. 

Ben and Simeon then pushed through to the tea break - the Muddies 0 / 61 after 31 over. 

However, a chink in the armour was found when Simeon required treatment for a strain he sustained to his inside elbow in hitting the six. 

Thinking he may have to retire hurt, Simeon’s ticker kicked in and he continued to bat after the break. 

Batting for two hours without loss after the myriad poor starts in the latter half of the season, the confidence of the Muddies was growing and growing. 

The third hour saw a milestone get closer and closer to fruition – an unbeaten hundred run opening partnership. 

Cautiously starting again, Ben and Sim kept the runs going which by now was becoming much easier. 

Tully had well and truly dropped their bundle, freeing up scoring opportunities. 

Ben and Sim crawled through the 60s and 70s, then smashed their way through the 80s as Simeon brought up his second half century for the season with thunderous applause from the sideline. 

They slowed a touch in the 90s until they notched up the hundred run partnership. 

Jubilant celebrations were had on and off-field for an achievement that was inconceivable a week or two ago. 

Settling down to the task again, Ben and Sim got through to 105, before Simeon edged a ball to slip to be removed for a superb 61. 

Unable to play next week, Luco was then given a chance at three to get some quick, controlled runs. And he didn’t disappoint. 

Luco quickly dispatched numerous balls to the boundary, but also showed great patience and ticker by pacing himself. 

Luco was there to cheer Ben on as he ticked over his 50th run for the day, scoring his first half century for the Muddies. 

Luco stuck around with Ben for the best part of 40 minutes, until he popped a chance which was taken, Luco out for 30. 

With only 20 minutes left, Benny V went to the crease with Gaske. 

Benny V quickly worked his way to ten, but instead of smashing the next ball to the boundary, he tentatively drove a ball which was caught with only a handful of deliveries left for the day. 

Nathan and Ben G saw out the remaining deliveries, to see the Muddies in the box seat at 3/163. 

Playing the anchor role for the day, and batting for four splendid hours, Ben Gaske finished unbeaten on 52, from near on 200 balls. What a simply astounding effort.

However, the Muddies will now be without Simeon this week. 

After seeing the doctor, it has been confirmed that Simeon has a tear in his bicep and a small tear in the adjoining tendon. 

This is a massive loss for the Muddies, but the boys will work through it. 

The playing hours will be extended this week from 10am – 6pm to catch up for lost time. 

With top quality players Doug Barnes, Troy Shepherd Damien Darlington and Steve Doble replacing the four regular B graders, a specialist sub fielder for Simeon, and massive batting line-up still to come, the Muddies are in a great position to take out the B Grade Grand Final. 

Weather permitting, the Muddies are looking good. Go get them Muddies!