Queenscliff defeated a gallant Inverleigh in BPCA round 11 on Saturday January 21 to seize control of third spot on the ladder.
The Coutas are level on points with Anglesea and Barrabool, although Anglesea and Jan Juc (fourth) were due to play yesterday January 26.
Inverleigh batted first and made 156 thanks to a hard-hitting 61 from just 35 deliveries by Jasper George.
George hit nine boundaries and cleared the rope three times in his whirlwind innings.
Logan Haberfield made 30 and Jye McEwan got 24 in the competitive final total.
Left-arm seamer Tony Hanafin was superb for the Coutas with 2/12 from eight overs and leggie Mitch Potter also grabbed two wickets.
Slow bowler Lachie Stott picked up 3/58 despite copping some stick from George.
Queenscliff got the runs in the 37th over after being 3/14 thanks largely to a superb unbeaten 76 from Frank Mileto, who hit 11 fours and a six in a 107-ball knock.
Armstrong Creek proved too good for Ocean Grove in a day/night fixture at Aim Hire Reserve, Armstrong Creek.
The Titans kept their finals hopes alive and gleefully batted first to avoid the twilight effect under lights.
Chris Marsiglio played well for 58 while the Grubbers bowlers struggled with the pink ball into the breeze and a final total of 7/158, while not massive, was very competitive.
Leg-spinner Rob Rutley took 1/14 from eight immaculate overs and Jake Taylor enjoyed some time at the bowling crease with 3/33.
Jason Robertson ripped through Grove’s top order to take 4/7 for the Titans and the Grubbers were in trouble early in their run chase.
Jake Taylor (22) and Bailey Le Maistre (20) made things interesting with a handy lower order partnership, but the required run rate proved too much with wickets running out.
Barrabool took care of business against St Leonards.
James Jirik top scored with 78 not out for the Bulls in their score of 8/154 with James Burns taking 3/40 for the Saints.
In reply, St Leonards crawled to 9/94 from 40 overs with Nathan Findlay (3/16), Brad Greenwood (2/16) and Ed Morrison (2/20) putting the ball in the right areas for Barrabool.
