The Cats are one of only three teams in the second tier without an Allan Matheson Shield presence, and are the only squad currently in the top four of the trio.
A win over Kyabram on Saturday helped that cause, with Darren Kelly (33-19) and Allan Donaldson (29-15) in fine form.
Des Campbell (29-21) and John Hausler (22-21) snared wins for Kyabram in the 14-104 to 4-85 defeat.
Shepparton Golf, East Shepparton and Tatura-Hill Top also kicked off the new year with wins.
● Mooroopna and Mooroopna Golf had tight wins in division three, with the former defeating Dookie and the latter having the better of Shepparton Golf.
But Shepparton Park was celebrating the hardest after securing its first victory of the season.
The Parkers defeated Tallygaroopna 18-110 to 0-61 as Murray Phillips, Ron Holland, Steve Russell and Wes Gibbs all had big rink wins.
Seymour was the other victor of the round.
● Stanhope is on the up in division four after defeating Tatura-Hill Top 17-99 to 1-84.
Peter Myers and Cyril Evans both had seven-shot wins for Stanhope to steer their side towards success.
Shepparton Park, Avenel, Shepparton Golf, Euroa and Kyabram also had wins in round eight to start the new year in style.
● Mooroopna Golf, Colbinabbin, Stanhope and Tatura-Hill Top Blue were all on the winners’ list in division five.
The quartet defeated Tatura-Hill Top Red, Dookie, Euroa and Kyabram respectively across the region.
● Victors in division six included Tatura-Hill Top, Seymour VRI and Avenel.
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