A middle order fightback gave Lalor Warriors a third straight win to start their North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield season.
Facing reigning premiers Rivergum without a win so far, the Warriors were always in for a challenge.
The Kookas started well and were cruising at 2-93. But the loss of two quick wickets slowed progress, and the final tally at overs’ end was 7-174.
Alex Jesensek top-scored with 32, while Matthew Perri made 30.
Brad Winther took 4-35.
Kookas’ bowlers did damage early, with the Warriors in trouble at 5-31.
Skipper Todd Hughes and Angelo Pereira came to the rescue, put on an unbeaten partnership of 145 to chase down the runs.
The Warriors finished at 5-175.
Hughes top-scored with an unbeaten 77, while Pereira made 66 not out.
Scott Morley was the best of the bowlers for the Kookas with three wickets.
The Warriors stay on top of the ladder, the only team to get a win in round two.
Rivergum sits at sixth with two losses and a draw.
In other results, it was a terrible day for Keon Park against Northcote United.
Sent in, Keon Park was 1-31 after losing the first wicket before scoring.
But it all went wrong from there.
Keon Park then lost 9-21, to be all out for 52.
The chase was an easy one for United, which made the runs in eight overs without losing a wicket.
In the Quick Shield, Bundoora Park defeated the Cobras.
