Tara Murray
Rivergum’s incredible North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield grand final run is over.
Having made the past 11 grand finals, winning five premierships, the Kookas were in the box seat heading into finals having finished on top.
Having lost a thriller to Holy Trinity in the semi finals, the Kookas season was on the line on Saturday against the Preston Baseballers in the preliminary final.
It would be another heartbreaking loss, with this one ending their season and the hopes of a 12th straight grand final.
The Kookas won the toss and elected to bat on their home deck.
Both openers were quickly back in the sheds and at 4-49, the Kookas were in trouble.
A partnership between Nathan Fowler and Corey Altis steadied the side but once Fowler fell the wickets kept falling including the final three wickets all for ducks.
The Kookas were all out for 116.
Fowler top scored with 52 and Altis got 26, with just one other player hitting double figures.
The Baseballers lost two early wickets before slipping to 6-57.
The Baseballer tail showed some resistance. They lost their eighth wicket when the score was 89 and their ninth, while still needing nine runs to win.
They got the job done, finishing 9-117.
Altis was the pick of the bowlers for the Kookas with 4-26 off his eight overs.
It was a tough day for the Kookas with their third XI also being knocked out of finals.
Playing in the Les Horne Shield ‘C’ grade competition, the Kookas were bowled out for 149 in reply to Keon Park’s 7-170.
