It’s taken until round nine, but Rivergum has finally returned to a spot it knows so well: top of the ladder.
The three-time reigning North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield champion returned to the top rung on Saturday on the back of its sixth straight win.
In their first game after the Christmas break, the Kookas faced both Holy Trinity and 35-plus-degree temperatures.
For Kookas captain-coach Gary Bell the match was about trying to get the win as quickly as possible.
“I thought we may have been a bit rusty after a few weeks off,” he said.
“We actually bowled first as we thought it would be hotter later in the day.
“And if we bowl first, we know what we’ll be chasing.”
The Kookas started well with a run out, and the wickets continued to flow with Holy Trinity skittled for 115.
Geoff Ridding was pick of the bowlers with three wickets, and Bell said he was happy that the fielders were switched on as much as the attack.
The Kookas made light work of the chase, finishing 5-117 with seven overs to spare.
Alex Jesensek held the innings together, top-scoring with 32 before being run out.
The win moved the Kookas three points ahead of Lalor Warriors, who lost to North Brunswick-Rosebank.
Bell said while finishing on top wasn’t necessarily the goal, it was good to be at the pinnacle.
“You want to finish top two and get the double chance,” he said.
“As long as you’re playing good cricket it doesn’t matter where you finish. It’s good to be back on top, though.”
Bell said the most pleasing thing was the overall form of all the sides, not just the firsts. With injuries to key players, others have had to step up.
“In recent times, it’s a couple of guys who have come up from the seconds that have been really performing.
“Geoff [Ridding] took a hat-trick in the round before Christmas and took another three wickets this week.
“He’s in his early 40s and has really taken to the role.
“Paul [O’Flynn] was a bit crook this week and didn’t play, but has been filling a role, too.
“You get your depth from the twos, thirds and fourths, and they’re all playing some good cricket.”
Bell said he hoped to get Daniel Young back this week for the side’s two one-dayers. And with his inclusion, the captain-coach thought the Kookas could be at maximum strength.
While it was a good weekend for the club, it was equally disappointing weekend for rival club Lalor Warriors, who fell from top spot after succumbing to North Brunswick-Rosebank.
Bhatiya Ratnayake (75) and Brad Turner (44) were the only two batsmen to reach double figures for the Warriors in their total of 8-146.
North Brunswick-Rosebank finished 5-147, with two overs remaining.
Keon Park got its first win of the season, beating Olympic Colts, who made 9-153, with Kyle Green taking 4-27.
The Parkers met the target with ease, at 3-154.
