By Tara Murray
Rosebank outgunned rivals Rivergum in the North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield.
In one of the competition’s greatest rivalries, which has spanned the past seven grand finals, Rosebank came out on top.
Rosebank overcame a slow start with the bat to control most of the next two days to claim its third title in seven years.
Rivergum captain-coach Gary Bell said at the end of the day they were beaten by a better side.
“We were simply outplayed, I think,” he said.
“When they play good cricket like that you can only tip your hat to them, and say ‘well done’.”
Rosebank won the toss and elected to bat. The Kookas started the better of the two teams, taking three early wickets.
Rosebank recovered to post a very solid total of 9-186.
Bell said they thought they could chase down the score.
“We had a good start and had them at 3-24,” he said.
“They had a really good partnership and Buwaneka Ekanayake made 50-odd.
“He took his chances and played a few shots. We fought back really well and I thought we could chase that total.”
Photo Gallery: Rivergum vs Rosebank
Matthew Perri was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets.
The Kookas’ dreams of a fifth premiership in six years were quickly up in smoke early on day two.
The Rosebank bowlers did the damage early and had the Kookas in trouble at 5-36.
Despite some fight back, the Kookas were bowled out for 113 in the 68th over.
Bell said once his partnership with Perri came to an end the game slipped away.
“Unfortunately they bowled really well,” he said.
“We maybe played a couple of rash shots or a couple of decisions not going our way, whatever it may be, we were outplayed today.
“Me and Pez didn’t make a big partnership, but put on close to 40 and were feeling comfortable before I sort of run myself out.
“That was the turning point. If we put on another 30-40 runs it would have been in our ball court.”
Perri top scored for the Kookas with 32, with Bell and Daniel Young the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
Bell said while the loss will hurt, they were realistic where it sits in the bigger picture.
“I said to the boys at the tea break and at the end of the day, it’s just another game.
“If we hadn’t won a flag, we would have been more anxious and more disappointed.
“Life is short and we’ll still celebrate the season all together.
“We’re good mates.”
For Bell it was his last game as captain-coach as he announced he was stepping down after the game.
MORE NMCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/bell-sounds-for-rivergums-captain-coach/
