Muddies Blue headed to Morrow Park for a 1pm start and a 30 over a side match against Atherton. Muddies Blue knew that with this win they would secure a semi-final place in the two-day format and were keen to keep their undefeated season going.

With that, Captain Simon Cody went for the toss of the coin and lost and was sent in to bat. The boys knew that anything over 150 would be a hard chase and Sam Hodgson and Keith Taylor once again opened the batting.

Unfortunately, the partnership didn’t last long when Taylor was caught at a deepish cover off his first ball for 0. Sam Hodgson was at his devastating best blasting 17 off ten balls before being caught to leave the Muddies Blue 2/23.

Rob Gaul has been in some great from for the club in his last two digs but couldn’t replicate it this time and was caught for 6 with score still on 23.

Wickets were falling quickly and the Muddies Blue were 6/51, then came saviour Gary Postans, and after being stranded last game on 47, he was on a mission to make his first 50 for the club.

Shane Gillespie and Gary put on a 42 run partnership before Gillespie was caught for 18 which was the second highest score for the innings.

Gary got his 50 in the end but it wasn’t without its drama as Gary had to call for a runner for the second half of his innings and Alex Bindall did a fantastic Job in helping Gary reach his 50 with lightning speed between the wickets.

Gary was eventually dismissed for 51 and really did save the innings for the Blues. The last wicket stand between Dave Johnson and Matt Chizzoniti was great to watch as both players went at over a run a ball and both finished with 15 not out to leave the Muddies innings 9/169 off 30 overs.

With Atherton giving a little lip behind the stumps, Muddies Blue was keen to get out and give some back.

Adam Lucas and Dave Johnson opened the bowling and it was Lucas who struck first in his fourth over to leave Atherton at 1/22.

The game had to be stopped as a batsman complained about the banter he was receiving and the skipper was called over by the umpire to calm things down,

Cody said his players would not back down on supporting their bowlers and letting the batsmen know about their shot selection.  

Johnson eventually got his man in his seventh over and finished with figures of 1/29 off 8 overs to have Atherton 2/57. Lucas also finished with tidy figures of 1/31 off 9 overs.

Alex Bindall replaced Dave for his first game back at the club and didn’t take long before grabbing his first and second wicket in the same over. He ended up with figures of 3/21 off 5 overs.

Shane Gillespie was bowling at the other end and grabbed his second wicket for the club to have figures of 1/26 off 7 overs.

Atherton has basically given up on chasing the runs to leave the game 6 for 124, Muddies Blue won by 45 runs and have beaten every team in their pool in the two-day comp.

Gary Postans and Alex Bindall picked up man of the match points.

The Muddies Blue will now turn their focus on the one-day competition with a home game against Mulgrave Punjab at 1pm so get down and support the guys. Food and drink is available.

This Captain Simon Cody logging off.

Up the Muddies!