Rivergum is enjoying the chance to flex its muscle in some early two-day games in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Mash Shield.
Traditionally a slow starter, the Kookas have found a change to the schedule in their favour.
“We’ve never been a one-day team,” coach Corey Altis said. “With the new structure and two-day matches really early in the season we get a good opportunity to look at the team balance.
“We’ve got some new players and we can see what they look like.”
After a good win in round one in a one-dayer against Dennis, the Kookas blew out the cobwebs in the first two-dayer.
They set the win up on day one as they made 7-346 from their 80 overs.
James Gilmour, who joined the club in the off season, scored 143 at the top of the order.
The bowlers then backed it up on Saturday with the ball.
The Kookas bowled Thomastown out for just 100 in the 52nd over.
Shoaib Khan played the lone hand for Thomastown, scoring 43.
Just one other player scored double figures.
Daniel Young and Nathan Burke took three wickets each for the Kookas.
As well as bringing in Gilmour, premiership player James Bonnici returns to the club and will strengthen the top order as well.
Altis was full of praise for a couple of younger players Nathan Burke and Ben Lyons, who have come into the team as well.
“Nathan has come back into the side,” he said.
“Ben Lyons is 16 years old and will be a good player in the future. We have a few new faces and rejuvenated our list a little bit.
“We’re a little bit younger across the board.”
After a strong first off season in the DVCA with two grand final appearances, the Kookas are keen to taste premiership success this season.
With the competition to go to four shield competitions from next season, getting it will be harder than ever.
“We want to bounce back after a disappointing finals last year,” Altis said. “The motivation is still there.
“We want to play finals and right the wrongs of last year and finish better than last year.”
In other results, Laurimar lost to Lower Eltham, South Morang beat Mill Park and Thomastown United fell short against Panton Hill.
