After a slow start, Rivergum has seemingly refound the form that captured the last three North Metro Cricket Association’s Jika Shield titles.
The Kookas were in the unusual position of losing the first two matches of the season, but there was no panic in the ranks.
Last weekend, they evened the ledger, winning both their one-day matches.
Kookas’ captain-coach Gary Bell said while the side started the season on the back foot, there were no real concerns.
“There wasn’t any reason to panic,” Bell said.
“The first game, we were a tad unlucky, and the same with the second game. Against Lalor we had them 5-30 chasing 170-odd, and they played some good cricket.
“We’ve had some lapses. It wasn’t that we were playing bad cricket, the results just weren’t going our way.”
The Kookas didn’t harm their chances of a third straight win on day one against Northern Socials.
Sent in to bat, the Kookas made 228, Matthew Kiely the top scorer with 70 at the top of the order.
“The game is in the balance,” Bell said. “It’s a good score, but they’ve been in form … if we don’t bowl well, we will not get the win.”
Having won the last three premierships, the Kookas are again the side to beat, but with the competition getting stronger, Bell knows it gets harder every year to stay on top.
“The standard has picked up and I’m enjoying it. Everyone is trying to get better.
“I was impressed with Lalor and their fight, and Northern Socials have come up and shown they’re a capable side.
“It’s good to see. I enjoy it.”
The Kookas kept many of their premiership stars, but have had injuries to others. Sean Kirby has taken the year off, while Kyl Ewart and Sean Neary are currently playing in lower grades due to knee injuries.
Daniel Young is the latest to join the injury list, breaking his hand at training. Bell said injuries opened up chances for other players to step up.
“If you lose one, you bring another player up,” he said.
“I think we have enough talent to step up.
“Kasey May and Luke Borg have both played in premierships. They get more opportunity with more responsibility.
“It’s their turn to step up.”
In other matches, Lalor Warriors will resume at 1-7 chasing Olympic Colts 206.
Meanwhile Keon Park looks set for a lose against North Brunswick/Rosebank.
