By Tara Murray
Macedon will take a lot out of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season having secured its spot in the top flight for next season.
After a slow start to the season, the Cats have managed to put three wins on the board ahead of the final day of the season.
Cats captain Gareth De Rosayro said they had been super pleased with ensuring they remain in the McIntyre Cup for a third straight season.
“It has been a good season,” he said. “We would have liked a couple more wins.
“We let a few games go early on before Christmas which would have been good if we won them.
“The average age of the side this season has dropped 15 years and we have a lot of young guys coming through which is good.”
De Rosayro said the development of the younger guys had been one of the most pleasing things to come from the season.
He said they had all lifted their input five to 10 per cent on last season, which for many was their first time in the top grade.
“It is really pleasing, we have a great senior program,” he said. “It’s nice having that under-17 program up and running.
“We didn’t always have that. We had under-14s or under-15s and we were playing the younger guys up who weren’t up to senior standard.
“They are a bit older and bigger now and relishing the challenge.”
De Rosayro said the performance of the club’s first import, Alex Browne, had also been one of the shining lights. Browne had made three 100s for the season and has the shot for one more on the final day of the regular season.
The Cats will finish the season on Saturday, with day two of their match against Romsey.
On Saturday, Romsey made 290 as it was bowled out with two balls remaining. Thomas Boyer top scored with 93.
Browne and Alex Watling took three wickets each for the Cats.
De Rosayro said they would take that score and backed themselves in to chase it down.
“I’m super proud,” he said. “It felt short and it was pleasing to restrict them to that.
“Romsey oval number two is really quick.
“We’ll like our chances to win against Romsey. It was be a fantastic end to the season, beating a side that will play in finals.”
In other matches, Broadford was bowled out for 259 against Woodend.
Warren Else took four wickets for Woodend, which sits atop the ladder.
Sunbury United, which currently sits in fourth spot, will need 232 against bottom side, the Sunbury Kangaroos.
Jason King made 100 at the top of the order for the Kangaroos.
Senura Perera was the pick of the bowlers for Sunbury United, finishing with 6-68.
Gisborne made 9-409 against Rupertswood with Riley Vernon making 154.
