Queenscliff B-grade duo give masterclass
PLUCKED from the club’s B-Grade side, bowlers Tom Kidd and Ned Stephens helped Queenscliff continue its unbeaten start this season with an emphatic 72-run win over Little River.
Forced to make a handful of changes to their side, Kidd (5-41) and Stephens (2-13) were rewarded for their disciplined bowling in the lower grade over recent weeks, which transferred into the A2 competition.
Defending 227, Queenscliff grabbed a flurry of early wickets to make it difficult for Little River to form any partnerships before Kidd cleaned up the middle order on the way to a well-deserved five-wicket haul.
The opening bowling pair of Stephens and Ned Rogerson proved a challenge for the Little River batsmen to get away, with both going for fewer than two runs an over.
Coach Shane Healey said his side’s prearranged bowling plans were executed proficiently by his bowlers.
“We got on top early with a couple of wickets and then that led us to steady into our game plan, which was really pleasing,” Healey said.
“I just asked the boys to bowl stump to stump and that’s what they did, so it was really pleasing to see.
“Not very often do plans come off, you sort of have to go through a few of them.”
Kidd’s fifth wicket put Little River at 9-123 after he dismissed top scorer Grant Cheeseman for 35, before a handy last-wicket stand pushed Little River’s score to a respectable 155.
The success of Kidd and Stephens highlighted the depth Queenscliff possesses heading into a top-of-the- table clash against a Winchelsea side boasting a formidable batting lineup.
“We had a couple of guys out and these guys had been bowling really well, so we thought it was the perfect time to bring them in,” Healey said.
“It was just really disciplined bowling (from Kidd). It kept them under pressure, over after over he kept doing what I asked, bowling stump to stump, making them play every shot.”