NMCA 2018-19: Rivergum back in NMCA Jika Shield flag contention
Reigning premier Rivergum has surged back into the North Metro Cricket Association top four, establishing itself as a leading flag contender again.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North . Followed categories will be added to My News.
HERE come the Kookas.
Reigning premier Rivergum has surged back into the North Metro Cricket Association top four, establishing itself as a leading flag contender again.
The Kookas are chasing their fifth flag in the past six seasons after an unprecedented period of Jika Shield success.
Rivergum dropped the opening two games of its title defence against Rosebank and Bundoora Park but has won five of its past six matches to move to second spot on the ladder.
The powerhouse steamrolled the Parkers to claim an outright triumph in their second meeting on Saturday, a clear message to their premiership rivals they mean business after an indifferent start.
“If we play the cricket we have played in the last two matches, we’ll win more games than we lose,” captain-coach Gary Bell said.
Much of Rivergum’s resurgence can be attributed to the superb form of all-rounder Matt Perri, the NMCA’s leading batsman after eight rounds. Perri has compiled 360 runs to go with 14 wickets, fuelling the Kookas climb towards the top of the ladder.
“He doesn’t have the greatest technique but he has got an amazing eye,” Bell said.
“He’s got a hunger. If he made 100 last week he wants to make 100 the next week.
“Not everyone is like that. People sometimes can be satisfied, but he wants to make runs every single time.
“He wants to bowl 25 overs straight, we bowl a team out, then he wants to go and bat. He wants to always be involved.”
Rivergum’s red-hot run has coincided with the start of the Northern T20 competition and Bell has no doubts the tournament had been beneficial for his side.
“Some teams say, ‘it’s only T20 and a Tuesday night, who cares?’, but winning becomes a habit,” he said.
“You get some winning form in the T20s and it’s better training in match conditions.”
Daniel Young (16 wickets), Kyl Ewart (15) and Jarrod Bannister (13) have been other key contributors.
“The guys have really been putting in the hard yards and have been rewarded,” Bell said.
“I think it started (in Round 7) against Heidelberg West. We played really good cricket those two weeks.”
Rivergum (9-216dec) completed a crushing win over Bundoora Park (62 and 120) on Saturday.
Locked in: Northern clubs tee up practice matches
The Northern league season is just eight weeks away and clubs are gearing up with a series of practice matches. Check out the pre-season schedule here.
How Wattle Park is planning to bounce back in 2025
Wattle Park coach Glenn Hopkins has declared his side need to “pick ourselves and go again” after being demoted to Division 3. But he’s got a clear idea on his side’s path forward.