Missiles, and never chase. ALWAYS hit X and reverse like a pro. You have range on all cruisers in the game, use it.
Bships that chase are the reason they /always/ lose fights. Range, pin the enemy into manuvears they don't want (like flying past you to 'kite' more) and most of all, missile bombardment at range. They will have to focus on the missile avoidance or get WRECKED.