Harper Sercombe
Macedon is ready to go in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association as they enter the top flight of the competition, the McIntyre Shield.
The Cats were promoted into the top grade after winning the Johnstone Shield last season.
Coach Tim Berzins said everyone’s pretty pumped and excited for the challenge ahead
“It’s our first time going up into McIntyre for a while,” he said. “We’ve had some really positive feedback from players in and around the club and also from people wanting to come and play.
“So, it’s made life a little bit easier for us, we’re still finding that balance while also promoting youth.
“We feel like we’ve got a good mix of experience and youth and new players coming into the club as well.”
While Berzins is happy with faces around the club he is staying tight-lipped about who they are as the club irons out contract details.
“I won’t be saying too much yet,” he said. “We’re chasing some form of commitment from them, but there’s almost a handful that we’re very, very close to.”
However, he did shed light on some of the younger players that have been around the club for a little while, including Anthony Grobler, Joseph Barham and Ed Ferguson, who they are hoping will step up.
Last season, Grobler and Barham only played the one match each scoring 22 and 21* respectively.
While Ferguson played eight games in the first XI, taking eight wickets at an average of 17.13, with best bowling figures of 3-22.
None of Grobler, Barham or Ferguson was a part of the club’s Johnstone Shield winning side.
“We’re expecting them all to take a bigger step this year and cement themselves in as regular firsts players,” Berzins said.
While it is a big jump from Johnstone to McIntyre, Berzins remains hopeful of the club’s chances in the top division of the GDCA.
“We’re going to win games of cricket,” he said. “We’re not going up to McIntyre just to participate and have a season there and say ‘oh, yeah, we’ve done it’.
“We’re going up there to be really competitive.
“No one’s going there to make up time on a Saturday afternoon.
“So we’ll be looking to win games, that’s our ultimate aim.”
Macedon will kick off its McIntyre Cup campaign against last season’s runners up Sunbury United on October 7 in a one-day clash at Tony Clarke Recreation Reserve.
