With some tough games and results behind them the Astute Financial Muddies 3rd grade side, positioned 8th on the ladder travelled to Griffith Park, Cairns for their two day match Vs 3rd position United. 

Subbing some players between week one and two meant the Muddies ideally wanted to bowl first and their wish came true better than expected when United opener Madsen let the first ball go, pitching well outside off stump but deviating miraculously off the pitch to clip top of middle, nice wheels on that one too from “Sergeant” Shulz! 

What proceeded was immense pressure from Redfern bowling at the other end and excellent catching from the Muddies to support their bowlers. 1/0 became 2/6, 3/19, 4/31. Sorensen and Barnes took straight forward chances rewarding Redfern and Postans (off one of his famous rank full tosses). 

Postans helped produce another surprising wicket fielding close to the bat and popping a high catch off his “bucket” hands even higher for the skipper to move beyond his age and diving to pick up the spilt crumbs, Shulz 2/15.

United produce their only partnership for the 5th wicket with their skipper eventually bowled by the upcoming 14 year old Sorensen star Mr Pebbles.

Pebbles bowled well above his age/experience and under the watchful guidance of Redderz (doing his good bloke status no harm) his confidence grew to secure 4 well deserved wickets for 30 off 8 overs. 

Although it was Redderz himself stealing the chance of the young man taking 5 wickets for the first time in Muddies Seniors as the former (and not likely again skipper) himself wrapped up the innings 3/21 off 10 overs.

United all out 132, Skipper Doble snaring 3 great catches. Gaske and Postans had gratefully assisted in numbers from the second grade side and consequently were rewarded with senior batting positions, Gaske in scintillating form cracking amongst others, some text book pull shots resulting in 5 boundaries and a hard run three before toeing one forward of square to be caught for 26 off a mere 30 balls.

Bucket Postans joined veteran Muddie Keith “Tarnished Golden Arm” Taylor but it was short lived as he was bowled for 2. 

Taylor playing the rock role then partnered with the confident “little rock” Mr pebbles Sorensen as the pair added a further 20 runs prior to the conclusion of day one with Muddies sitting strong at 2/54. 

Thanks to 13 year old Skipper’s son Ryan for filling the eleventh spot, two subbed changes will see an even stronger line up for week two with ex junior Sean “Gillespie” Evans and Damian “Bludgeon it” Darlington returning to bat!