NMCA 2020-21: Rivergum’s Matt Kiely hits 81 in win over Northern Socials

Opener Matt Kiely delivered another impressive performance to help Rivergum retain top spot on the NMCA Jika Shield ladder.

Rivergum’s Jarrod Bannister maintains his focus on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Perennial contender Rivergum remains on top of the NMCA Jika Shield ladder after defeating Northern Socials by 23 runs at W Ruthven VC Reserve on Saturday.

The home side elected to field first after winning the toss and started the match well with Siddharth Singh taking two early wickets to reduce Rivergum to 2-28.

However, opener Matt Kiely steadied the ship and produced a brilliant knock of 81 to help lead the Kookas to 4-169 from their 40 overs.

Despite another impressive innings from Socials captain Joel Kolep (60 not out), the home side was bowled out for 146, losing its fifth consecutive match in the Jika Shield.

“It was another important win for us on Saturday. Even though Northern Socials are second-last on the table, they are a very dangerous side when they get going and they really gave us a scare when Joel Kolep made his knock,” Rivergum captain Matt Perri said.

“But we held our nerve and I was really happy with how the group stayed calm towards the back end of our innings as well as in the field.

“It was almost a finals-like finish so really happy to come away with the six points.”

Kiely’s posted a season-best contribution, with his second half-century of 2020-21 leaving him fifth on the competition’s run-scoring charts.

Rivergum’s Matt Kiely gets on the front foot. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Perri said Kiely’s run of form since Christmas had coincided with improved performances from the Kookas.

“Matt has been amazing for us in the last four to five games, it’s been pleasing to see,” he said.

“He started really slow this season as he was carrying a thumb injury. He didn’t make a big deal out of it, but you could tell it was really affecting his game, so the Christmas break came at a good time for him to rest and came back and perform the way he has been.

“He is one of our most important players with the role he plays for us. I’m really happy to see him making runs and hopefully his form continues.”

Saturday’s win kept Rivergum on top of the Jika Shield ladder on percentage over Preston Baseballers, with both teams locked on 48 points.

With just four rounds remaining before finals, the back-to-back Bill MacFarlane medallist is determined to keep improving towards the pointy end of the campaign.

“The key for us is to keep getting better and try and lock up that double chance. It’s normally about this time of year where we start to get pretty excited as a group because finals are only a month away,” he said.

“Three of our next four games are at home so we have a nice run and hopefully that leads us to finishing top two and building some nice momentum come March.”

Rivergum next hosts Keon Park, the only side it has not faced this season.

Perri has been impressed by the Parkers’ performances and is expecting a hard-fought encounter.

“I’ve actually been really impressed with Keon Park and the way they’ve gone about it. They have a good mix of experienced heads and young guys coming through,” he said.

“They have taken the equal most number of wickets in the competition, equal with us, so we are going to have to perform well with the bat.

“You know you’re always going to get a good hard game against them, no matter where they are on the ladder so we are definitely going to be up for a fight and we are looking forward to that challenge.”

Keon Park will be looking for its fifth consecutive win after defeating Cameron by four wickets on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Heidelberg West was victorious over Holy Trinity by four wickets and Preston Baseballers comfortably defeated Cobras by 57 runs.