NMCA 2020-21: Rivergum’s Matt Perri stars in win over Cameron

Two of Rivergum’s experienced heads combined to steer it to an important NMCA Jika Shield victory in Round 4.

Matt Perri made a vital half-century for Rivergum. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Powerhouse Rivergum returned to its winning ways with a seven-wicket victory over wickets over Cameron in Saturday’s NMCA Jika Shield clash at J.E Moore Park.

The Kookas restricted Cameron to 9-139 from their 40 overs, with Nathan Bourke (3-31), Jarrod Bannister (2-34) and Matt Perri (2-24) doing the damage with the ball.

But despite a slow start, the visitors took control with the bat thanks to a 118-run partnership between captain-coach Perri (74 not out) and Scott Morley (55) to cruise to 3-141 with 26 deliveries to spare.

Perri was impressed with his side’s performance after its loss to undefeated Preston Baseballers the previous week and praised his bowlers.

“It was really good to bounce back on Saturday after such a disappointing loss the week prior,” Perri said.

“We had a few key areas that we had to work on, and I thought it was a pretty convincing display in the end with both bat and ball.

“Nathan was super with the ball and Jarrod and Daniel (Young) bowled fantastic into an absolute gale, so it was a very pleasing back up win set up by our bowling, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

Rivergum looked to be in trouble early into their batting innings after openers Matthew Kiely (1) and Liam Henkel (3) were dismissed to leave the visitors at 2-4.

But Perri and Morley’s incredible rescue act ensured the Kookas remained in equal second place on the ladder.

“It was super-important to stop that collapse early, I think in every game this year once we’ve lost our first wicket, we have lost three of four in a row. So we put a real emphasis on building partnerships this week and not losing wickets in clumps,” Perri said.

“Scott batted superbly, he knuckled down at the start of his innings and then opened up as he went on. It’s been good to have him back in the firsts this year after having a year down in the thirds with his son.”

Perri also continued his stellar form with bat and ball this season.

The back-to-back Bill McFarlane medallist is second in the league for batting average (73.50) and has taken four wickets in his last two matches.

While the Rivergum skipper is happy with his start to the season, he said the performances of his teammates had helped him exert his influence.

“I’ve started pretty well. I’m lucky enough to have a strong batting list where I can come out and play my natural game from the start,” Perri said.

“The bowling has been OK, but it’s taken a little bit to get adjusted to bowling in one-day format. Myself and all the bowlers can really bowl anywhere in the innings so it’s good to have that up our sleeve.”

Rivergum travels to Hayes Park West this weekend to take on Holy Trinity, which has won one of its first four games.

But Perri is wary of what the Knights can produce after falling to short against them in Round 6 last summer.

“We just need to keep getting better week by week. We are slow starters which is no secret, so the more we play, the more we will get better,” he said.

“Holy Trinity have had a slow start to the season, but they are a dangerous side with a handy bowling line up. We had them beat last year and they put on about 60 or 70 for the ninth wicket to beat us.

“That loss still stings a bit so we will be throwing everything at them, and it should be another great game.”

In other results, Baseballers remained undefeated after claiming victory over Holy Trinity by four wickets, while both Heidelberg West and Northern Socials stayed in the top four after wins over Cobras by seven wickets and Keon Park by 22 runs respectively.