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Cats clawing back

Macedon is hoping to put six weeks of mixed results behind it in the run home to the Riddell District Netball League finals.

Going into round 10, the Cats were unbeaten and in the top two on the ladder.

Since then, they’ve lost three matches, had a game washed out and changed coaches.

Despite an up and down month, the Cats are confident of being a force to reckon with come finals time.

Karri Ambler, who has taken on a co-coaching role, said the attitude at the club had been really positive.

Ambler and Kelly Nicholas took on the coaching after the club decided to part ways with Melissa Climas at the end of round 10 after a serious code violation.

“It’s pretty much the same girls still playing,” Ambler said.

“Kelly and I have been around the club for a long time and both played at the club before having kids.

“Everything is going well, and the girls are really happy.”

On Saturday, the Cats defeated Kilmore, 52-32, without a couple of their starting seven, including shooter Bec Colwell.

The win is the second for the new coaching combination after a win against Sunbury Kangaroos in round 13.

Ambler said the massive loss to Rupertswood in round 11 was a blimp on the radar and a match from which they would take little away.

“When we played Rupertswood, we were missing 14 players, with injuries and girls away.”

Ambler said Tarryn Mackie, who hurt her knee in the Rupertswood game, would return after the bye.

“She and Kate [McLeod] form a really good combination in defence.”

Genaya Burke will fill the goal attack role for the rest of the season, taking the spot left vacant when Alexis Climas decided to leave the club.

“Genaya is from Gisborne originally and has played a lot of netball locally in Sunbury. She’s really fit and plays good netball.”

The Cats’ aim is still a top-three finish. “We definitely want to finish in the best position we can … we’ll still be trying for a top two finish,” Ambler said.

Elsewhere, matches went as expected.

Diggers Rest kept up the pressure on the top six with a 71-46 win over Wallan; Melton Centrals was too good for Woodend-Hesket, 66-19; and Romsey defeated Rockbank 66-24.

This weekend brings a top-of-the-table clash between Riddell and Rupertswood.

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