Tuesday 15 December

Muddies C Grade get first win and it feels good !

The day didn't start too well with monsoon showers hassling the travellers all the way down. However on arrival at Griffiths Park to face Cairns Norths the sun emerged and when the covers were removed the pitch looked flat and green.

Captain for the day Steve Doble won the toss and didn't hesitate in deciding to bat.  He and Darren Wall opened the innings and played out a solid partnership through the first 15 overs forming an excellent platform of 44 runs before Steve Doble (20) was the first wicket to fall.

A mini collapse quickly followed with Darren Wall having a rush of blood to the head and was bowled after an excellent 21. After Daniel O'Brien didn't trouble the scorers, Daniel Pokai joined returning superhero Haigh Varco to put on another 38 before Varco was bowled by the Norths slow attack.  Simon Cody making his debut for the Mddies looked comfortable with Dave Marks continuing the good work of the top order. 

The Muddies finished with their highest first innings score for the season of 142 all out.

Steve Doble and Daniel Pokai opened the bowling against what seemed like an aggressive Norths opening batting partnership but after their first overs the two Muddies bowlers seized the initiative and with the first ball of his third over Pokai took his first wicket of the day. 

Although Steve Doble didn't take any wickets during his spell, he continued to keep the pressure on from the other end with a very accurate session of 0 for 15 off 6 overs.  In the meantime his partner Daniel Pokai claimed 5 for 20 off 8 overs with a superb display pace bowling leaving the opposition struggling on 5 for 28 off the first 12 overs. 

Nick Leu came on second change and bowled Fabila with his third ball to put the Muddies firmly in the driving seat just before the drinks break.  On returning Haigh Varco bowling for the first time this year generated some exceptional pace taking over from Pokai and made light work of the last three batters in just two overs finishing with 3 wickets for just 2 runs.  In the end Cairns Norths reached only 49 runs all out presenting The Muddies with their first win of the season and a convincing one it was by 93 runs. 

Man of the Match award was presented to Daniel Pokai with Haigh Varco and Nick Leu in second and third places respectively.  During the past couple of weeks the Muddies have been in their games all the way to the end but have fallen short each time.  This time they continued to keep the pressure up, work hard as a team, build pressure and hold catches including a stunning reaction catch at short leg by Nick Leu. 

This win is well overdue but very welcome.  Now who knows what the rest of season will bring ?  There's still plenty of time to get something good out of this season....Go the Muddies !

Score Card

Port Douglas C Grade play Barron River at Crathern Park for a 10am start.