By Daniel Redfern

It was looking like it was going to be a wet days cricket for the Astute Financial muddies b grade as they ventured down to crathem park for the top of the table clash against Barron river.

Captain Grumpy Adam Lucas won the toss and quickly elected to bat on a pitch that was an absolute road and all the muddies were keen for a big total,Well that didn’t happen, loosing Randel (dad) smith for 4 on what can only be described as a very poor decision  and causing a mini collapse.

With the score at 1/4 the muddies then lost another 3 quick wickets with the score at 4/34 it was up to Dan Harris and buckets to try and steady the ship, buckets and Dan put on a 34 run partnership before Buckets fell the score at 5/68, after the 5th wicket fell the muddies lost their last 5 for just 23 runs ending up all out for 91.

The only shining light for the muddies was Dan  (bowl me skipper) Harris who batted his way into some form with a well-made 34.
 Putting the batting nightmare behind them the Astute Financial muddies set out to defend their total, Captain Potato Gem and Deep opened the bowling and with Captain Potato Gem bowling some mint sauce it wasn’t long before the muddies claimed their first wicket.

Deep claimed the second wicket and then Benny V was bought on and claimed the 3rd, with time running out Barron will go into day 2 at 3/34.

With a strong bowling attack and a lot of confidence the muddies will be going into day 2 looking for the victory and taking top spot it’s going to be hard work but the belief is there by the lads.