The Hornets were able to take home the chocolates while the mudcrabs ended up with a pair of bruised plums.

From the game there is concern for the breeding future of local thoroughbred Chris "the Hock" Hocking.

Hock who is the star recruit for the mudcrabs copped a short pitched delivery from Jeff Brown which failed to rise and caught him flush in the unprotected plums.

Passer-by's would have been forgiven for thinking that Hock is a religious person as he was down on both knees, head lowered, and uttering a high-pitch wail noise.

After an extended period Hock was propped up to again face the music.

After soldiering on bravely, the Hock was finally out to return to the changerooms to inspect the damage.

From all reports the middle stump is badly bruised and the plums the size of watermelons.

All male cricketers in the district wish the Hock a speedy recovery but don't eat the peas if invited to his place for dinner.

Hornets captain Kai Steele won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on a hot and windy day.

Steele opened with Shane Abnett and faced good tight bowling from Jono Davis and Jake Hogan.

The pitch was playing a bit up and down so there were many half opportunities where the mudcrabs thought they had the first wicket.

This finally changed when Rory Bolger got Abnett (16) to get a fine tickle on one to wicketkeeper Andrew Jones.

Nathan Anderson joined Steele and the pair slowly put together a match winning 59 run partnership.

Steele was restricted by a hammy injury from touch footy so running between the wickets was not brisk.

Mudcrabs rotated the bowlers with Chris Hocking and Patrick Smith putting in sterling efforts in the conditions without getting the breakthrough.

Finally, in the twenty seventh over Hogan in his second spell was able to get Steele to inside edge one back onto his stumps for a patient 27.

Hornets were now 2 for 91.

Wickets started to fall as Jeff Brown departed for four and was followed by James Woodhead (9) who was well caught by Mat Minehan off Hogan.

Finally, Anderson was out for 54 to a great low catch by Jono Davis off Hogan.

Will Manwaring delivered a few lusty blows to cow corner before Rory Bolger picked up the late wickets of Beau Abnett and Kobi Bradshaw, both for ducks.

Hornets 7 for 149.

Pick of the mudcrab bowlers were Hamish Minehan who bowled accurately without getting a wicket, Rory Bolger 4 for 14 and Jake Hogan 2 for 28.

Mudcrabs got off to the worst possible start with Nathan Anderson clean bowling Paddy Smith (quack) and Matt Stadtmiller (1) in the first over.

Chris Hocking was joined by Andrew Jones and attempted to put some respectability into the score.

Jones at times looked like he was auditioning for 'Dancing with the Locals' as the Hornet bowlers had him dancing around with some short pitch bowling.

Jones (17) was finally out to a running catch by Jono Nicholls off Rob Scott and received a good old Hornets send off to compensate the chirp they had received from him when they were batting.

Hock followed two balls (no pun intended) later for a gallant 17 when he tickled one through to Will Manwaring off Scott.

At 4 for 39 the mudcrabs were in trouble.

Jason Pollard (16) and Jake Hogan (11) attempted to steady the ship but an inspired spell of bowling by youngster Jack Nicholls removed both and Hamish Minehan (0) as well.

Jack Glover then chipped in to remove Rory Bolger for 4.

Kai Steele could sense a couple bunnies at the crease and brought himself on to pick up the last two wickets.

Mudcrabs all out for 94. Jack Nicholls 3 for 13, Nathan Anderson 2 for 17 and Kai Steele 2 for 0. Jono Nicholls continued his incredible form by taking three catches.