By Daniel Redfern

Heading down to Cairns for the first time in a few weeks for the Astute Financial Mud Crab,s the lads decided it was a good idea to hold a team meeting at Smithfield McDonalds and talk about the days plans, all the focus was on bowling.

Captain Bobby was keen as mustard and wanted the toss done asap. The skipper won the toss and the team plan was starting to come together. Captain Bobby and Kaiden opened the bowling and from the first over things started to get interesting.

The Mulgrave Punjab’s had one thing on their mind and it wasn’t defensive cricket. Young Kaiden was the first to get a much needed break through and as it turned out it was going to be a while before the Crabs got another. The muddies bowlers were getting put to all parts of the grounds by a Punjab’s side that resembled India’s 20/20 side, that was until the good guy Dan Redfern was bought in and claimed a wicket in his first over then another in his third.

At the first drinks break the Punjab’s were 3/80. After drinks the Muddies continued to chase the leather again with the Punjab’s batsman Singh punishing every bad bowl bowled and even some of the good ones on his way to a well-made 100.

Haydon D’Addona was introduced claiming the wicket  of the centurion with a sharp catch by Buckets. It was here the Muddies got a roll on eventually dismissing the Punjab’s for 237.

Bowling figures were A Lucas nine overs 1/38, K Sorenson seven overs 1/23. Pistol Pete Gilmour in for his first game after some impressive bowling in C grade finished with 11 overs 0/44.  Pete was pretty unlucky not to claim one or two.  B Vikionkorpi four overs 0/35, H D’Addona eight overs 2/21, but it was Dan “Michelle” Redfern he was the pick of the bowlers claiming 5/75 of 17 overs.

Chasing 237 on a fast outfield the Muddies didn’t get off to a good start losing two quick wicket for just eight runs. Young Sorenson was sent in as a night watchman and was batting well until one slipped through just clipping his leg stump.

Going into week two the Muddies are 3/31, with a lot of work ahead of them and some quality batsman left, the Crabs will be looking to take this one home before the well-deserved Christmas break.

Nippers out this week lads fight hard and lets bring home the win.