There is a fishing saying that could be well applied to cricket sometimes, “A bad day’s fishing (cricket) is better than a good day’s work.”

Maybe the Muddies C Grade team need to apply this to their recent game against Mareeba. The Muddies found themselves underdone in both batting and bowling, yet plenty of positives to take out of the game.

Chasing 316 to win, most players trained well and some even took it upon themselves to add a third training session at 8.30 on Saturday morning.

The weather was hotter than week one with the absence of cloud cover. Thwaite and Doble walked to the crease and proceeded to set a brilliant foundation, choosing the right shots and leaving the right balls in a disciplined display.

At 0/60 in 58 minutes off 16 overs, Doble (26) again played the shot that saw his dismissal in the first fixture, feathering an edge to the keeper.

Drinks were taken and Simon Cody, assisting as a sub player, strolled out to follow up on his 44 in B Grade, but after getting his eye in (7 off 36 balls) a swinging delivery removed his leg stump.

Eager to commence his season following a finger injury Matt Coombe replaced Cody only to be sent back LBW to a delivery some say was drifting down leg side. The unlucky score of 87 had claimed two scalps.

Darlington, who looks very able, entered to a feisty spell from century maker Stallen (6/16 off 10) abd included a boundary off his head evading a short delivery before being sent back bowled off a well concealed slower ball.

Unfortunately, the tail did not wag to support the in form Thwaite who continued to 63, his personal best for the Muddies over several years. The last tired wicket fell on 9/131 with Muddies one player short due to illness and debutant Maclaren boasting 0 not out off 0 balls.

Exhausted in the heat, Mareeba chose to partially reverse their batting order and the swatting shots of their tail took Muddies bowlers to the boundary numerous times. Some gallant attempts at tough catches not going Muddies way, especially for Hilditch and Darlington.

A tough game with three players only available in Week 1, then two players ill in Week 2 (thanks goes to ill Jack Goodall who still attended and gave his best).

This situation did not assist the stability of a new team still finding their feet.

Doble said “As we left the field I suggested to Mareeba (containing three ex-A grade players) that with Barren River leaving B Grade, Mareeba could well slip into a more suited challenge of a higher gradeB But eyeing off their potential finals birth already with 750 runs including two back to back century makers from two games, they said they were too old!

“We will re-group, train harder, work on our mental preparation and look to deliver a better form of game with a more balanced side from here on, after all next week we will all be older by then too!”

Pictured: Ryan Thwaite on his way to an impressive 63.

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