A heart to heart between Macedon players after their disastrous loss to Lancefield in round 11 was the catalyst for the side’s late season form in Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s B grade.
Since that loss, Macedon has won three of its four matches, with the fourth match ending in a draw when rain prevented an all but certain win.
Macedon captain-coach Gary De Rosayro said the outright loss to Lancefield was the kick in the pants the players needed.
“It wasn’t through a lack of ability – we lacked a bit of heart in the second innings and we had a long chat about it,” he said.
The turnaround in form ensured Macedon was in the box seat to grab a finals spot heading into the final round.
All it needed was a victory against St Anthonys to seal fourth spot.
Macedon had made 221 on day one and did it with ease on Saturday, bowling the Saints out for 124.
Tim Dawe and Daniel Trotta took three wickets each for Macedon.
De Rosayro said the players enjoyed having their finals destiny in their own hands.
“We’re ecstatic as there was a bit of pressure on us with Bacchus Marsh breathing down our neck,” he said.
“It was in our own hands and that’s the way we liked it. In previous seasons, we’ve had to rely on other results to play finals.”
De Rosayro said that despite the three top teams being clearly the best sides this season, he thought Macedon could mix it with them come finals.
Macedon will play Wallan and Lancefield will face Sunbury United, with both finals being knockout matches.
He said extra experience had played a big role in helping the side be more consistent this season.
“We have competed well against Wallan and United,” he said. “Lancefield has been the sticking side for us.
“The side is a bit different to last year – we’ve got more players of an older age and have been more consistent.
“Last season we had juniors coming through who did a good job but weren’t quite up to this level.”
Wallan sealed top spot with victory over Lancefield in a top-of-the-table clash.
Needing 254 for victory, the Magpies made 6-271. All eight batsmen for the Magpies reached double figures.
Nathan Malone and Lyndon Thompson took two wickets each.
Sunbury United will enter its semi-final against Lancefield on the back of a massive win against East Sunbury.
United made 8-206 in reply to East Sunbury’s 147.
Bacchus Marsh consigned Ashfield to a winless season with a big victory.
