Also 100% agreement. This edition of
The Controller recommended the same (or very similar) course of action, IIRCC.
Probably the average controller thinks of restoring separation (or preventing a loss) in the vertical plane first, because it is so much quicker to achieve than a turn. As one of my radar instructors used to say, vertical will prevent a loss of separation, faster. But if you chuck in a turn, you might still have a loss of separation, but at least they won't b(@@dy well hit each other!
Quite possibly the environment a lot of us currently work in has got us psyched to prevent a loss of separation at all costs, because of the perceived consequences of same. Be interested to know what a human factors guru would make of that.