Bowlers keep Coutas’ dreams of successive flags alive

THEY were on to something at Queenscliff.

After a brilliant start to its A2 campaign last season, veteran Queenscliff batsman Toby Smith declared his side had been reborn, confident it could win more than half of its games in the top competition.

Fast forward 18 months and Smith’s bold prediction has rung true. The promoted Coutas have backed up their form with a more-than-competitive showing in A1.

Queenscliff is now staring at the real prospect of contending for consecutive premierships.

The measured captain at the helm, Shane Healey, said part of the success had to be put down to the side’s relegation to A2 after the 2017-18 season.

“For us going back to A2, there were a few disappointed people around the club,” Healey said.

“But at the same time we had a young group, so I thought it was really good and worked in our favour.

“The young boys hadn’t had a lot of success at senior level and all of a sudden they win a few games and they start to believe in themselves and I think it’s just rolled on to this year.”

Rejuvenated and firing, Queenscliff is two games ahead of sixth-placed Barrabool and a win today in the one-day clash would significantly dent the Bulls’ season.

But Healey admits they are wary of the Kane Pickering factor.

“It’s an opportunity for us just to prove to ourselves again that we are in the mix and gives us the chance to put a break on them (Barrabool),” Healey said.

“He’s (Pickering) a guy that they probably rely on a bit with the bat and he just keeps getting the job done for them, so he’s the big wicket for us.

“If we can get him early, then hopefully that will put a shake through their middle order.”

Much of the reason why Queenscliff was so dominant last year came on the back of its batting from Tim Frankenburg, Smith and Healey.

But the captain said it had been the Coutas’ bowling that had kept them in games this season.

That bowling will need to be on song to dismiss a Bulls side with all to play for.

“Last time, he (Pickering) held them together for a while through the middle order, so we feel if we can get him then we feel we can go through them,” Healey said.

“The best part about it is that we have wicket-taking options right through our line-up.

“Max Potter is one that has taken another step up with the ball.”