Queenscliff back on the winners list as Surf Coast go three in a row in A2

A Surf Coast opener has shot to the top of the A2 batting aggregate as his team has won its third game in a row.

Portarlington's Aaron Toole makes a courageous effort to take a catch. Picture: Alan Barber

Queenscliff has banked its first win of 2025 after downing Barrabool by 49 runs in the BPCA’s top tier.

The Coutas 5-161 was established through the efforts of Frank Mileto (56 not out of 53 balls), Lochie Philp (32) and Hayden Illingworth (30) at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve as Andrew Cook took 2-22.

Illingworth’s hand took him to fourth on the A1 batting aggregate with 403 runs at 50, a great achievement considering Queenscliff’s two-win season so far, with both coming in the past three fixtures.

In reply, the Bulls were rolled for just 112 with Lachlan Whiteside (26 not out) and Shane Stevens (24) offering resistance (Tom Kidd 3-28, Jordan Monahan 2-42, Michael Washford 2-21).

Barrabool has now dropped its past three games and sit in fourth place after Round 10.

Meanwhile, Armstrong Creek has won its fifth game in a row after downing Ocean Grove by 54 runs, securing second spot.

Queencliff's Frank Mileto topscored for the Coutas. Picture: Alan Barber

The Grubbers had found some midseason touch, downing Barrabool and Anglesea over the past three games coming into Saturday.

They at least managed to keep A1’s leading batting in Clay Mulgrew (14) under wraps as the Titans made 6-174 (Ben Norgrove 53, Ben Robertson 34, Chris Marsiglio 21, Daniel Roddis 3-53).

In reply, the Grubbers managed just 120 (Roddis 23, Shaun Fankhauser 21, Jason Robertson 3-32, Daniel Maclean 3-21, Jack Maclean 2-32).

At RT Fuller Oval, Barwon Heads passed Jan Juc’s 8-158 (Fraser Clatworthy 58, Peter Buszard 30, Alexander Jennings 24, Jack Taylor 22 not out, Harry Hyland 5-37).

Brent McMinn (67) and Daniel Donaldson (46 not out) rescued the Seagulls from 2-13 with a 104-run stand before Jacko Mallett produced a 32-ball 33 with five boundaries.

And Anglesea easily reached 98 for victory against Drysdale at Ellimatta Reserve with five wickets in hand.

Michael Thornton (3-10), Jack Robinson (2-32) and Dylan Taylor (2-2 off 3.3 overs) destroyed the Hawks with Hayden Eddy’s 24 their highest score.

Simon Umbers with an unbeaten 52 was the top scorer for the Roos as Blake Dobbin (2-27) and Ben Spencer (2-23) made them earn their victory.

Dobbin is equal first on the A1 bowling aggregate, alongside Barrabool’s James Fisher, with 19 wickets at 17 apiece.

Surf Coast win three in a row

A Surf Coast opener has shot to the top of the A2 aggregate as the Suns won their third game in a row, downing Portarlington by 69 runs.

The home team’s 6-187 off 40 overs was built around opener William Liddle’s 94, with support from Richard Dawes (28).

Liddle now has 395 runs with four half centuries at an average of 49, two runs ahead of Wallington’s Sven Burluraux.

The Mildura product said Suns president Ben Tekin had put forward the idea of an extra session on Wednesday nights at the new Barwon Regional Cricket Centre at Kardinia Park.

“A lot of the lads are putting in an extra session on a Wednesday and you can see the results. It’s paying off, I can guarantee that,” Liddle said.

“To be honest I put (my success) down to the other blokes batting with me.

“It’s nice to know the work I’m putting in is paying off, it’s bringing wins which is good.

“Putting more of a focus on your Tuesday and Thursday (at training), not just turning up and going through the motions.

“Really sort of going: ‘This is what I’m missing out on a Saturday, what can I work on?’”

James Tilders (3-34) and Paul McGrath (2-32) were the only multiple wicket takers for the Demons at Polwarth Oval.

Surf Coast's Will Liddle is the number one batter in A2 this season. Picture: Alan Barber

In reply, Portarlington lost both their openers in Cameron Gourley and Jackson McGrath for ducks to be reeling at 2-3, then lost its next three wickets for just three runs.

Brenton Toole’s 64 and Riley Illingworth’s 14 were the only double figure scores for the visitors as Taj Haidlinger (2-11), Grant Haidlinger (2-29) and Blake Robinson (2-21) did the bulk of the damage.

At Ervin Reserve, Wallington maintained its spot at the top of the A2 ladder with 36-run defeat of Newcomb.

The Wallabies posted 193 off its full allotment with James Sood (53), Sven Burluraux (41) Henry McIntosh (34) and Nicholas Adamson (27) leading the way.

Bulls captain Shane Healey (3-12), Naveen Mayavel (2-20) and Abhishek Sharma (2-52) contributed with the ball.

Portarlington's James Tilders took 3-34 against Surf Coast. Picture: Alan Barber

With the bat, only Praveen Mayavel (36), Naichese Lovett (28) and Naveen Mayavel (24 not out) made scores of substance, finishing at 8-157.

Meanwhile, Collendina has gone back-to-back with a 28-run win over St Leonards and finish Round 10 in fifth place.

The Cobras posted 9-147 (Corey Walter 52, Jacob Gasior 25, Nathan Frye 20, Will Stovell 3-31, Harvey McCormick 2-29, Brian White 2-14).

In reply, St Leonards could only muster 119 (Jack Jeffrey 27, Paul Hassan 22, White 20), losing 5-13 in the middle of its innings (Oscar Irwin 4-18, Ted Farrell 2-21, Gasior 2-26).

And Inverleigh has also won its past three in a row after comfortably reeling in Winchelsea’s 6-174 (Toby Furbush 73 not out, Shane Murdoch 29, Mitchell Buhrmann 21, Murphy Walker (2-16, Jye McEwan 2-16) with five wickets in hand and two overs to spare.

David Peel (58) and Will Collins (28) set the platform before Kieran McNally (39 not out) and Locke Perrett (18 not out) combined for the final 28 runs required.

Originally published as Queenscliff back on the winners list as Surf Coast go three in a row in A2