Clinical Coutas all class

QUEENSCLIFF has continued its stunning rise, inflicting Barrabool’s fourth-straight loss with an eight-wicket win.

The Coutas remain undefeated in second place on the A1 ladder after a clinical performance over the hapless visiting Bulls on Saturday.

Barrabool skipper Kane Pickering decided to bat after winning the toss, and despite the loss early loss of partner Jack Purcell, he found an honest ally in Brydon Barnett and the pair added 74 for the second wicket.

James Kerr was the sixth bowler Coutas captain Frank Mileto invited to the crease and he lured Barnett out of his ground to be stumped for 36.

Pickering then followed almost immediately for 37.

With the base for a late attack eroded, the Bulls struggled to grab the ascendancy as wickets fell regularly through the second half of the innings.

Kerr finished with 2-20 and opening bowler Lachlan Stott had a fruitful second spell to end with 2-30 from his eight overs.

The star of 14-year-old medium pacer Jordan Monahan continued to rise, as he bowled another tight spell through the middle overs, returning 1-20 from his full allotment of deliveries, as the Bulls clawed their way to 9-155.

Barrabool was unable to take important early wickets as Queenscliff set about the run chase, with Lachie Kidd grabbing hold of the new ball bowlers to race to a run-a-ball 40, finding the boundary six times.

Oscar Skurrie suffered the indignity of a first-ball duck, but that was the last success for the beleaguered Barrabool bowlers.

A steady 20 not out from Kane Leathem was the perfect foil for man of the match Tim Frankenberg, who cruised to 83 not out with 15 boundaries, carrying his team to an important victory.

Frankenberg is averaging 56.33 from his four hits this season, giving the Coutas batting line-up the perfect anchor to support a consistent group of bowlers, who have risen to cover the loss of their spearhead, Shane Healey.

Queenscliff will take on Collendina next week, before tackling competition heavyweights Ocean Grove and Anglesea, but for Barrabool there is little respite ahead as the last clash before Christmas sees it take on Ocean Grove.

That match will almost certainly cement Barrabool’s place at the bottom of the ladder over the break.