Queenscliff became the latest in a long line of teams that just can’t seem to perform the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association’s toughest task – beat Anglesea.
The Coutas were in second spot on the A1 Grade ladder heading into Saturday’s round of matches and hot on the heels of the unbeaten Anglesea.
And while they played well at times, they have a long way to go, especially if they are going to bowl 38 wides again.
Anglesea batted first with Ty Norman (42 off 86) and Ned Cooper (18 off 48) putting on 95 for the first wicket, but they were largely helped by the amount of wides the Queenscliff bowlers sent down.
However, Queenscliff clawed itself back into the contest with four quick wickets before Dale Kerr (32 off 32) and Simon Umbers (25 not out off 31) resurrected the innings and got their side to a respectable 184 all out.
Extra was the top scorer with 45, including 38 wides and four no-balls.
James Kerr, Lachlan Stott and Pat Mileto each picked up three wickets, but all of Queenscliff’s eight bowlers sent down at least two wides each.
Queenscliff never looked like chasing down the target and at 9-89 the game was over, but a last-wicket stand of 47 between Tom Kidd (26 off 33) and Jordan Monahan (18 not out from 24) showed resolve.
Dylan Taylor was finally rewarded for his work with 3-20 and Brett Venables took 3-21.
Barrabool put a dent in Inverleigh’s finals hopes with a four-wicket win.
David Peel top scored with 40 in Inverleigh’s total of 7-108 with Kane Pickering picking three scalps for Barrabool.
The Bulls got the runs with six overs remaining.
Jan Juc replaced Queenscliff in second spot on the ladder with a crushing win against Collendina.
Nicky Smith was the chief destroyer with 3-9 for the Sharks and Brody Andrew took 3-21 in Collendina’s score of 72 all out.
Despite losing run machine Ben Grinter early, Iva Priest (46 not out) and Jordan Withers (16 not out) got the side home in only 14 overs.
Ocean Grove consolidated its spot in the four with a comfortable win against St Leonards.
Shaun Fankhauser was good at the top of the order with 47 from 72 deliveries for Ocean Grove, but the Saints hit back in the middle stages and did well to restrict the score to 9-154.
Troy Griffin then took 26 from Lindon Guiffrida’s opening over in a whirlwind start to St Leonards’ innings.
To his credit, Giuffrida hit back with a maiden in the next over, but not before Griffin made a punishing 50 from just 20 balls.
There wasn’t a lot of resistance after that with the Saints all out for 108 in the 31st over.
Mick Thornton capped off another good game for the Grubbers with 2-18 from eight overs to go with his 23 from as many balls.
