Tara Murray
Macedon may have left locking a finals berth to the last round, but the Cats will take plenty of confidence into the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s Johnstone Shield finals.
Last season’s runners-up, the Cats only needed a win against Eynesbury in the final round to seal a finals berth.
The Eagles had made 240 on day one of the match. Cats coach Tim Berzins said they were more than confident chasing that down.
“That ground is extremely fast and you get good value for your shots,” he said.
“We knew that if we batted time, we had the fire power later in the innings to get us over the line.
“We were confident that if we stuck to the game plan and executed well, we would get across the line.
“We were able to get solid contributions from everyone.”
The Cats lost an early wicket, but were able to steady and form strong partnerships throughout the wings.
When they lost a couple of wickets late, the experienced heads of captain Dan Trotta and Craig Pender got the side over the line.
Berzins said the two batted really smart, knowing they were missing four players out of their best side, to get the job done.
Todd Coppin was the star of the day, finishing with 98 off 212 balls.
Pender said the side was always confident that they would be in the mix at the pointy end of the season.
“We’re really confident with our team that we can beat anyone on our day,” he said. “We’re full of confidence, no excuses.”
Berzin said they were set to field their strongest side of the season this weekend against Bacchus Marsh in a knockout semi final. Romsey will host Kilmore in the other final, with grand final spots on the line in both matches.
A finals appearance for the first XI caps off what has been one of the club’s strongest ever seasons.
All four men’s sides have made finals, while their women’s side has already claimed the premiership.
Berzins said this season had been massive for the club.
“We focused on the first XI, but we’ve seen how much talent is in the club,” he said. “You can see that through the results.
“This is massive for us.”
In other final round Johnstone Shield matches, Kilmore beat Kyneton after a big day out with the bat.
Kilmore made 9-338 before bowling Kyneton out for 134. Kyneton was 4-103 in its second innings.
Bacchus Marsh beat Riddell. The Bulls made 267 before restricting Riddell to 213. Romsey enters finals on the back of narrowly missing out on an outright against Aintree.
Aintree made 128, before Romsey made 8-220 before declaring. Aintree was bowled out for 102 in its second innings.
Sunbury United made a massive 6-409 before restricting Gisborne to 8-261.
