Tara Murray
Rivergum showed some composure as it overcame the Preston Baseballers in a rematch of last season’s North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield grand final.
The Kookas looked set to be on the wrong end of the result again on Saturday, but a key partnership between Matthew Perri and Chris Dunbar turned the game back in their favour.
The Kookas would eventually get the job done in the 34th over to keep their unbeaten record this season alive.
Perri said they were happy to be undefeated at this stage of the season, with the side traditionally slow starters.
“It’s been a pretty good start and we’ve beaten a couple of good sides,” he said. “I guess it’s been a bigger pre-season than we’re used to.
“We played one game and then had five or six weeks off with the weather.
“We’ve had a lot of unavailability this year and there’s a lot of opportunities and players are making the most of them.
“We’re still a bit rusty, but we’re getting the results.”
On Saturday against the Baseballers, the result and the manner the Kookas won was an important one for the side.
Bowling first, the Kookas bowled the Baseballers out for 96 in the 36th over. Jarrod Bannister took three wickets for the Kookas,
Perri said they would have taken that at the start of the day, saying they bowled and fielded really well.
The Kookas found themselves in trouble at 5-40.
“It was looking pretty dismal early on and I was thinking what is going on here,” Perri said.
“Chris Dunbar has come into the side the last couple of weeks and brings that experience. He stuck around with me as they threw everything at us.”
The Kookas didn’t lose another wicket, finishing 5-99 with Perri top scoring with 53.
Perri said in recent times against the Baseballers, they wouldn’t have come away with the win being in the situation they were.
“I think the last nine times we have played them we’ve lost the toss and bowled first and they have a habit of running through us.
“They have some really good bowlers. To get the win is pretty important for us.”
The star so far for the Kookas has been Perri, who is averaging 100 having made two 50s in four innings.
Perri puts his form down to a change in the batting order.
“I’m now batting at the top of the order and really liking it up there,” he said.
“The ball flies off the bat and I don’t have to think about batting.
“Especially when we bowl first, I bowl eight overs and captain and then I sit down and the mind wanders and the legs get heavy.
“I just want to get out there and lead from the front.”
Perri said the side was hoping to continue its good form in the lead up to Christmas to set up a strong starting point.
