Matt Hewson
Queenscliff won its top of the table clash against Barrabool in the final round of the BCPA home and away season to claim top spot on the ladder heading into the season’s finals series.
With the first week of the two-day fixture rained out last week with Barrabool at 1/26, the match was instead played as a 50-over contest.
Barrabool struggled to build scoring momentum, and after a slow start to the day the Bulls lost five wickets for seven runs to find themselves at 6/49.
Lachlan Grigg and Edward Morrison steadied the ship momentarily, putting on 18 runs over the next six overs.
But after Grigg went out lbw to Lachlan Stott in the 28th over the Barrabool tail failed to wag, the home side all out for 77 in the 31st over.
Thomas Kidd took 4/17 for Queenscliff, with Tony Hanafin contributing 3 wickets and Stott taking 2/12.
Queensliff also got off to a shaky start, losing four wickets for 18 runs in the first 16 overs before Lachie Kidd came to the crease.
Kidd batted through to the 34th over, scoring 26 runs and leaving the visitors just eight runs short of victory when he was caught by Aaron Pickering off the bowling of Dean Jones (2/19).
Thomas Kidd, coming in at 10th spot, took just 10 balls to hit nine runs and see out Queenscliff’s innings of 8/78.
Finn Peel had the best bowling figures for Barrabool with 2/16, while Morrison took one wicket while conceding just six runs for his eight overs.
In the other rain-shortened game of the round, Anglesea chased down Armstrong Creek’s first innings total of 152 to win with 10 overs remaining.
Danny Midolo led the bowling for Anglesea with 6/18, while Simon Umbers (43) was best with the bat.
Armstrong Creek’s loss gave Jan Juc the chance to sneak into the last finals spot, and the Sharks took it with both hands, defeating Ocean Grove by 132 runs to take fourth position on the ladder.
St Leonards won its last match of the season, defeating Inverleigh’s total of 176 with four wickets in hand.
Jan Juc will play Queenscliff in the semi-finals this week, while Barrabool will take on Anglesea.
