Rivergum and the North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield grand final go hand-in-hand.
The Kookas rebounded from a final-round loss to Lalor Warriors by producing a well-timed performance against North Brunswick/Rosebank at the weekend to nail a sixth straight grand final berth.
While the side will be looking to win a fourth straight premiership, Kookas captain-coach Gary Bell said the players had vivid recall of the pain of losing.
“Before we won the last three premierships, we lost two grand finals and we know much how it hurts,” he said.
“North Brunswick/Rosebank is a really good side and Lalor Warriors have beaten us both times this year.”
The Kookas made 176 in a patient innings against Brunswick/Rosebank.
Bell said they would have taken that total at the start of the day, but come the end of the innings they knew they had left some runs out there.
“It was quite a slow game,” he said. “At the tea break it was evenly poised. We were 2-36 off 40 overs. Then Matt Perri and Jarrod Bannister got a partnership going.
“We were 6-173 when I went out and then we lost 5-3, which was a little disappointing. We should have been closer to 190 or 200 – quality teams finish off innings well.”
North Brunswick/Rosebank, 0-2 overnight, started well on Sunday, but once the Kookas took control with the ball the match was theirs for the taking. The Kookas bowled them out for 143.
“Daniel Bramich and Daniel Young took two wickets each as we took 4 -20,” Bell said.
“They were on the back foot and playing a bit of catch-up.
“We tightened down and knew, with about 15 overs to go, that the game was in our hands.”
The Kookas will play either North Brunswick/Rosebank or Lalor Warriors in the grand final.
Bell said the Kookas would use their weekend off to support the club’s other teams in their grand finals.
“We’ve got a bit of a rule that we get down and support the other teams and they’ll support us in our grand final,” he said.
“Our twos and fourths are in grand finals, so hopefully we can get a couple of premiership cups.
“We’re really happy for the boys. We heard the thirds, who were also in the semi-finals, got down to the last over but lost so we’re shattered for those guys.
“It would have been great to have four teams in grand finals.”
