Rivergum fell just short of claiming the inaugural Diamond Valley Cricket Association Mash Shield summer smash title.
The Kookas faced Dennis in the first of the three summer smash grand finals on Sunday at Montmorency.
Despite some rain around and a short rain delay, the match was able to get a result without it being shortened.
The Kookas won the toss and decided to bat.
After a good start they struggled and were bowled out for 117 with two balls remaining.
Suvra Saha top scored with 30 at the top of the order, with fellow opener Harish Ravichandran (20) the only other player to reach 20.
Vivek Dhankar took three wickets for Dennis.
While not having many runs on the board, the Kookas kept themselves in the game.
They had Dennis at 6-71.
But Thomas Sweetman would stand between them and victory. Sweetman made 77 not out off 42 balls to guide his side to victory with two balls remaining,
Dennis finished 6-119.
Jarrod Bannister and Saha took two wickets each for the Kookas.
Not surprisingly, Sweetman was named player of the match for his performance with the bat.
Speaking after the game, Kookas captain Matt Perri said they really enjoyed the format and the new concept. The competition replaced the Northern Region T20 competition that used to be played between DVCA and North Metro Cricket Association sides.
“Dennis you were too good and I think were undefeated all tournament ,thoroughly deserved,” he said. “Tommy, some good hitting, really took the game away from us.
“Proud of the effort as we didn’t have much on the board but we worked pretty much to that last ball.
“A game of inches really.
“We’ve got something else to focus on now. We’ve enjoyed this but focus on the two-day cricket now.”
Dennis captain Daniel Martini said the Kookas had been bench mark in the Mash Shield competition and it was nice to get one over them.
The two sides both crossed to the DVCA this season.
In the Barclay Shield super smash grand final, Rosanna had a huge win against North Eltham Wanderers.
Rosanna made 7-140 from its overs with Sam Sheehan making 55.
After putting on 29 for the opening partnership, it went all wrong for the Wanderers who were bowled out for 56.
Patrick Bourke took 5-8 off four overs.
In the Money Shield super smash, Eltham beat Lower Plenty.
Lower Plenty made 9-103 from its overs with William Jenkin and Jackson Smith top scoring with 23 apiece.
Eltham hit the winning runs in the 17th over, finishing 4-104.
Tara Murray
