Coutas pleased by return to A1 cricket

QUEENSCLIFF has declared its return season to A1 a success, despite being bundled out in Sunday’s semi-final.

The Coutas’ stunning rise came to an abrupt halt at the hands of minor premier Anglesea — going down by six wickets — but amid the disappointment captain Shane Healey was “absolutely thrilled” with his team’s efforts.

“If someone had said at the start of the year, ‘You’ll make the top four’, I would’ve said (sarcastically), ‘Yeah righto’,” Healey said.

“We were coming up and the first thing we wanted to make sure we didn’t do was go straight back down.

“We got off to a decent start to the season, so then our plans were to be around the top four. To make the top four in the end, I’m very proud of everyone at the club, not just the Agrade players.”

Healey was also pleased with the endeavour of his team in the semi, but acknowledged it was outclassed by the Roos.

“They (Anglesea) finished on top and they were the best side and I thought we matched it when them a lot of the time, but the better side won,” Healey said.

With one of the best bowling attacks in the competition, Healey said it was obvious his side needed more class in the batting department.

Compounding the Coutas’ batting woes is the possible retirement of stalwart opener Toby Smith.

Smith confirmed on Sunday he was yet to make a decision on his future, but is no guarantee to suit up in A-grade next season.

“You love blokes like Toby around the club and around your team. People walk taller with him in the team, so if he doesn’t play on it will be a big loss for us, but we’ll wait six months and see what he does,” Healey said.

“I don’t believe we’ll lose anyone, but at the moment, we just don’t know at this stage.”