Macedon has already won as many matches as it did last season in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup in just the first three rounds this season.
The Cats have been the surprise packet early in the season as they sit undefeated sides after the first three rounds.
Having knocked off grand finalist Sunbury United, the Cats knocked off another of last season’s finalists in Romsey on Saturday.
Cats president Stephen Harrison said the start to the season couldn’t have been much better.
“We’re really happy to have started with three wins,” he said. “We only had three wins last year.
“It’s on the back of getting a lot of the local kids through. Half a dozen played in the McIntyre team and we’re really happy taking them from juniors through into senior cricket.”
Harrison said they played some of the younger players last season when they weren’t quite ready for it last year.
He said they had grown from those experiences and the development is on show this season.
On Saturday, the Cats decided to bat against the Redbacks, making 7-165 from their overs.
Tim Berzins in his first game in a few seasons and on the back of not much training, top scored with 50 not out.
Corey Day took four wickets for the Redbacks.
At 3-89, the Redbacks were on top in the run chase.
The wickets started to fall and the Cats gained the momentum. They took 6-28 to bowl the Redbacks out for 146.
Cadel Howlett took four wickets for the Cats.
Harrison said to beat teams like Sunbury United and Romsey this early showed they were on the right track.
“We’re really happy about that,” he said. “In the playing group there was always hope that we could play finals and grow on last year.
“We lost Alex Browne, who had a fantastic back end of last year and have a couple of new players.
“Donald [Mlambo] is a Zimbabwe under-19 player. It’s been great having him part of the team, but he hasn’t really fired yet.
“Cameron Clayton is an experienced player in the GDCA and elsewhere and he has been good.”
Harrison said the start to the season was made even better with the likes of Dan Trotta and Tim Dawe both on the sidelines injured showing they had more depth.
The Cats now face an even bigger test in round four, facing reigning premiers Gisborne.
The Dragons are also undefeated and have put some big scores on the board already.
Harrison said they see it as a big challenge that they’re looking forward to.
Gisborne remained unbeaten on Saturday with a big win against Broadford.
The Dragons made 5-258 with Riley Vernon making 150 not out.
Broadford was bowled out for 114.
In other results, Wallan got its first win of the season as it beat Rupertswood.
