Final-over heroes direct Queenscliff’s close-call win
QUEENSCLIFF overcame a nailbiting run chase against Ocean Grove thanks to a pair of youngsters at the crease who helped steer their side home with four balls to spare.
Lochie Philp (19 not out) and Lachie Kidd (5 not out) were the finalover heroes, avoiding a late onslaught of wickets, to pass the 180run target eight wickets down.
Queenscliff coach Shane Healey was thrilled to see Philp and Kidd finish the game off amid high pressure bowling from Ocean Grove.
“To Ocean Grove’s credit they kept taking wickets and they could have taken the game — it went right down to the wire,” Healey said after the result kept Queenscliff’s unbeaten start to the A2 season alive.
“Two experienced cricketers came and went under tight conditions and the two kids at the end really stood up, which was fantastic for the club to see the kids do that.
“It’s good to blood games into them and obviously they learn as they go along and they showed how much they’re learning already — to be able to bring that game home when more experienced guys couldn’t get the job done.”
It was the experience of opener Toby Smith that helped set up the victory, however, with the in-form batsman scoring 67 at the top of the order, helping steady the initial run chase.
Smith combined with captain Tim Frankenburg (47) before Queenscliff’s younger members capped off the considerable run chase.
“He (Smith) was fantastic,” Healey said. “It’s been good for him to be able to pass on the reins this year and concentrate on the juniors but also concentrate on his own game where he’s gone back up to the top of the order.”
Earlier, the Grubbers capitalised on wayward bowling through Ben Hughes (38 not out) and Bradley Walder (19).
“We bowled short and two sides of the wicket, and to Ocean Grove’s credit, they put the bad balls away and we let them get away,” Healey said. “We were good in patches, but hopefully we can build on that over the next few weeks.”