Muddies hang on to beat Newcastle in veterans cricket at Gloucester

After a thrilling win in their first round match against Newcastle Merewether, the Muddies were keen to again perform well and so they did.

After winning the toss, the Taverners chose to bat and were rueing that decision after the first hour.

By the drinks break at the end of 20 overs, the Muddies had the visitors reeling at 8-48 with four batsmen looking to donate to their associated primary club and the 'duck donations'.

The first ball after drinks saw it seem inevitable to be a shortened game with the ninth wicket falling.

A steady rear guard action followed as the last pair played sensibly and hung on to try and give their side something to bowl at.

A fine 40-run partnership eventually came to an end with the Tavs out in the 38th over for 88.

The Mudskippers' chase followed suit with a first ball wicket starting a similar trend to their opponents before more wickets fell to have the home side on the canvas at 6-47.

They then steadied the ship to cruise home in the 29^th over without the loss of another wicket.

Muddies' skipper Paul Rosenbaum was complimentary of the tail-end revival of the Novocastrians.

"They were obviously in dire straits but showed patience and got themselves in," he said.

He was thrilled with his bowlers as you'd expect and they were backed up by excellent fielding.

"Mick Simpson took two great catches and Graham Morley was superb behind the stumps."

Rosenbaum himself had led the way with the ball in a man of the match earning spell of 3-15 off seven overs.

All of the hosts' bowlers contributed well with Dom Ashe (1-17), Mark Coombes (2-4), Tim Bramble (2-14), Graham Westley (1-10) and Kessey (1-6) all snaring a piece of the wicket feast.

Obviously the hosts would have hoped for a less damaged batting sheet and will need to be better when they take on the strong Tamworth Squad in a fortnight.

Having been runner-up to that side in the Gloucester tournament back in September, they know what to expect.

There will be a few changes to the squad as the playing roster is rotated somewhat and with the next match after that not until early February, the match will be vital in helping selectors as they prepare sides for the state carnival at the end of that month.

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