Attacking mindset keeps Queenscliff out in front
QUEENSCLIFF continues to enjoy a stranglehold on top of the A2 ladder after a four-wicket win over St Leonards on Saturday.
Aiming to avoid their first loss of the season, a tight bowling performance ensured a relatively low run chase for the ladder-leading Coutas, who needed 27 overs to chase down the 116 runs set by St Leonards.
Wickets were shared across the first innings, with Queenscliff coach Shane Healey’s multiple bowling changes paying dividends as St Leonards struggled to build partnerships.
“We tried to stay as attacking as possible and we were able to do that through good bowling,” Healey said. “We just kept the pressure on them and didn’t allow them to score.”
He, opening bowler Michael Philp and Max Potter took two wickets each, but it was Thomas Kidd, who grabbed the key wicket of Cam Egan, that gave Queenscliff the ascendancy.
Egan was off to a flyer before Kidd dismissed him for 25 as the St Leonards tail limped past 100.
“We just bowled to Egan’s strengths and he got a couple of good shots away,” Healey said.
“We got control back through the middle by just bowling good areas.”
In reply, Queenscliff never panicked, despite the impressive allround effort from Egan, who snared 4-9 from his eight overs.
The key partnership came from opener Toby Smith (31) and keeper Daniel Stott (38), with the latter’s efforts praised by his coach.
“He’s been hitting the ball really nicely,” Healey said.
“He’s very positive but also selective about which balls to go after, which is the key for him.”
Queenscliff still has plenty of scope for improvement going into the back half of the season, according to the coach, but has the luxury of a finals spot all but confirmed.
It means the side will look to share the batting duties around.
“I played around with the middle order a little bit because a few guys hadn’t had a hit,” Healey said.
“At some stage you’re going to need them during the season.”