By Tara Murray
Rivergum has put itself in the prime position to claim its first Diamond Valley Cricket Association Mash Shield title.
Despite the heat on Saturday, the Kookas bowlers fired on all cylinders to bowl Mernda late on day one and set themselves up for day two.
The Demons entered the grand final as the only team that had beaten the Kookas in the regular season.
Kookas coach Corey Altis said they didn’t mention that during the week in the lead up to the game.
He said they instead focused on the task at hand in the semi final and continuing on their strong form.
“We’re really happy to be out of the heat,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of days in a row in the heat.
“It was a good day for us yesterday [Saturday] as we restricted Mernda to 140.”
Mernda won the toss and decided to bat with temperatures above 30.
Altis said they would have also likely batted had they won the toss considering the weather.
He said they weren’t fussed and the bowling group stuck to the task at hand bowling Mernda out for 143 in the final over of the day.
“We executed what we wanted to do,” he said. “We continued on from the previous weeks and bowled really well.”
Bailey Turnbull top scored with 25 for the Demons as just two batters passed 20.
Kookas skipper Matt Perri took 4-28 off 28 overs which included 18 maidens to lead the way for this side.
Daniel Young and Jarrod Bannister took two wickets each for the Kookas.
“We stuck to the basics and we did well and we have now given ourselves every change to chase down the runs next week,” Altis said.
“Matt bowled quite tight and didn’t allow them to score. All of our bowlers bowled well as a unit and were able to keep the run rate slow and everyone picked up a wicket.”
Day two is scheduled for Saturday, with the Kookas keen to get out there and bat well.
Nine of the players have tasted A-grade premiership success with the club, but it’ll be the first time in the DVCA after the club changed competitions in the off season.
Altis said they were looking forward to this Saturday and hopefully raising the Mash Shield at the end of the day.
“It’ll go quickly and it’ll be Saturday before we know it,” he said. “We’ll have a positive week on the track and give ourselves our best chance on Saturday.
“If we play well and play the percentages, we should get the job done.”
In the Money Shield, Rosebank made 9-201 on day one of the grand final against Eltham.
Ravindu Dilshan top scored with 41 not out.
