Last season’s premiers, Rivergum, don’t see any extra pressure on them this year in the North Metro Cricket Association’s Jika Shield competition.
If anything, president Andrew Hopgood feels there’s less pressure.
“Last year was the breakthrough win [to get a first Jika premiership] after losing the grand final in the two seasons before that,” he said.
“It has relieved the pressure a bit knowing we can take the last step.”
Hopgood said the players enjoyed the premiership win but were now focused on this season.
“We lost Scott Morley, who retired, and picked up Sean Kirby; otherwise we have a similar side to last year.”
Hopgood said he was expecting big things from some of his younger players.
“We had two younger guys play on Saturday [Kasey May and Luke Borg], but they didn’t get a bat,” he said.
Rivergum’s season got off to the right start with wins to its top three teams.
The first XI didn’t waste any time against Lalor Warriors, who won the toss and elected to bat.
Rivergum dried up the runs with tight bowling and bowled out the Warriors for 90.
Kyl Ewart got three wickets, while Daniel Bramich, Sean Kirby and Daniel Young got two each.
Rivergum reached the target in the 19th over with only three wickets down.
