Tara Murray
For the 11th time in as many years, Rivergum will play off in the North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield grand final.
The Kookas beat Holy Trinity across the weekend to seal their spot in the decider and keep the remarkable record intact.
Kookas coach Matt Perri said he didn’t think there would be many clubs that would have a record such as this.
“It’s a pretty good effort,” he said. “It’s good for the whole club and hopefully we can get the win.
“It’s been a pretty good run and we can’t really complain.
“We normally go straight through from the semi final into the grand final, it was different this time.
“I was more nervous playing a preliminary final than I was a grand final.”
Having fallen short against Preston Baseballers in the semi final, the Kookas were keen to atone and have a second shot at them in the grand final.
The side had two big inclusions to face Holy Trinity, with Perri and James Bonnici returning to the side, having missed the semi final due to the wedding of Perri’s sister.
With rain around, the match which was meant to be played on Saturday ended up being played across two days.
“It felt like two day cricket again,” Perri said.
“We played for half an hour on the Saturday and then had a three hour break. We came back out at 3.30pm and played out the 40 overs.
“We were lucky we didn’t have to bat that day.”
Holy Trinity made 9-120 from its over. Perri was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.
Perri said while they were happy to restrict Holy Trinity to that score, it could have been even better.
“We had them at 7-70 odd and we let them get a bit more. The batting conditions got better as it dried out.”
After a 10 minute delay to start day two, the Kookas then set about the task of chasing the runs down.
While they got there, finishing 3-121 with four overs remaining, it was hard work.
“They bowled excellent to us,” Perri said. “Me and James had to build a partnership and they threw everything at us.
“They have one of the best bowling attacks in the competition. We tried to bat as deep as we could.
“I threw my wicket away with 10 runs to go.”
Bonnici finished 35 not out.
The win sets up a rematch of last season’s grand final, which the Baseballers won.
Perri said they were keen for some redemption.
“They beat us last week and got the week off,” he said. “We have got a pretty good rivalry with them.
“It’s always tough games and you have to be on your toes.”
The club’s third XI won a premiership on the weekend, while the under-12s and under-16s will play in grand finals on Friday night.
