The MNC North squad, The Marlins, took on the strong Central Coast Thunder at Oxley Oval recently and had an outstanding victory against a side brimming with experience and representative honours.

Batting first, the home side was in some trouble at 3/41 until skipper Greg Hall (30 retired) and new signing Jason Blythe combined for an innings-building partnership.

They took the score along at a good rate with Jamie Hall (36) and Dom Ashe (30) bolstering the rate, added to by Gordon Scott (17), Glen O'Brien (16) and the recycling Blythe, who finished with a brilliant 58 off 37 balls, to set a formidable score of 8/218.

The Thunder started with a bolt as the well-regarded punisher, Brian Crutcher, powered quickly to retirement before two wickets at 66 caused a speed bump-like halt to the rate.

The visitors knuckled down for the haul though and, despite some good support from Paul Wright (26), Andy Emery (17) and a late flurry from Mark 'Buzz' Bury (15), along with the recycling Crutcher remaining 45no, the chase clapped out and the home side held their nerve for a solid win.

The spin duo of Mick Connolly (1/25 off 8) and Glen O'Brien (2/16) caused problems for the chasing side but the kudos went to Blythe, who capped a sensational debut in vets' cricket with 4/47 off 7.

Skipper Hall was suitably pleased and both sides had a good hit out, with the visitors complementary of the beautiful setting that is Oxley Oval.

As always the game was played in a competitive but friendly manner and both sides will be looking forward to their next round matches to continue the season in the exciting new comp.

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Following on from that, MNC South squad, The Mudskippers, took on the home side, Newcastle Merewether, at Townson Oval this past weekend.

With stand-in skipper Tim Bramble taking the toss for a bushfire-delayed Graeme Morley, the visitors batted first and were soon in trouble at 2/13.

New coastie Greg Boyer, settling in the hinterland from the wilds of Sydney's northern beaches, joined with Rob Lamb, one of the Gloucester Barrington Coast crew, and they set about establishing a good platform.

Both got to the mandatory retiring 30 and waited to see what the rest of the Mudskippers could adapt to.

That was not to eventuate, and at 8/120 it was proving a watershed of no return for the Muddies.

Another debuting player in Brad Christensen stepped in with a quickfire 13 before late-arriving skipper Morley jumped the firetrail with 21no.

The returning 'Butch' Boyer (38), missed a good opportunity to snag a 50 but Lamb (34no) helped round out the total to a defendable 9/147.

The home side started like the fires attacking the visitors' home turf and former NSW Country and Newcastle rep, Steve Mace, showed his class to retire quickly.

Merewether's highly-regarded skippering all-rounder, Stephen 'Lethal' Leathley, disregarded the loss of a couple of quick wickets and set the total ticking along in accountant-type fashion.

But once he was shedded on his 30, the rest of the innings took a tumble as the Mudskippers battled like the wonderful firies back home and found a way to get themselves right in the mix.

Losing four for 10 when the total was in sight and with overs to go, the home side was looking to recycle the classy Mace and the leader to get them home.

Mace did all he could and finished with a fine 46no, whilst the skipper was knocked over by Christensen (2/19), who bowled the death overs calmly.

The damage had been done by a superb spell from both Tony Bransdon (4/16) and Graham Westley (3/29) as the fired-up Muddies roared home to clutch victory from the teeth of an inevitable loss.

The Muddies were thrilled with their opening account and now face Newcastle Taverners 50s at Gloucester on November 24.

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