COUTAS CATCH SHARKS
QUEENSCLIFF grabbed a seemingly unlikely victory over the more-fancied Jan Juc, with a stunning late charge to run down the Sharks’ impressive 8-190.
The Coutas suffered an early blow after losing the toss, when club coach and opening bowler Shane Healey was unable to continue his work after only one over.
Healy did remove Mark Zahra without scoring, but an old shoulder problem flared up and his day was done.
Sharks stars Ben Grinter and Jordi Withers took advantage of the loss and quickly rattled the score along to 75 before Pat Mileto removed Grinter for a typically classy 32 with skipper and brother Frank taking the catch in the outfield.
Brad Roberts (35) continued Jan Juc’s dominance with the bat, but the Coutas lifted on the back of the efforts of teenagers Lachie Kidd (2-53) and Jordan Monahan (2-43).
The pair collected two wickets each, as the Sharks lost 4-14 and all their momentum.
Fourteen-year-old Monahan showed class beyond his years to remove Withers for a game-high 64 from only 75 balls and, after staring at a big 200-plus total, the Coutas batsmen went to tea with confidence.
Kidd then padded up to open the innings and was first to go for 19 in an important opening partnership of 38 with Tim Frankenberg, which set up the Queenscliff chase.
Frankenberg (56) was the aggressor in a second-wicket stand of 58 with youngster Oliver Skurrie (33) and when the latter was the third dismissal at 125, the Coutas still needed a run a ball to pull off the unlikely victory.
Skipper Mileto and recruit Kane Leathem then batted with organised calm and aggression to finish not out on 41 and 36 respectively and see Queenscliff home with two overs to spare.
Healey was particularly impressed with his young bowlers during the Sharks’ charge.
“I was not concerned about how we would go after the shoulder gave out,” a sore but relieved coach said post-match.
“We have a good and deep group of young bowlers and I was confident they would bounce back after a disappointing first round.
“I am really pleased with our team and the addition of Leathem gives our batting some more strength. I think we will have more of an impact than some might think.”