Riddell came out on top in the battle between ladder leaders of the Riddell District Netball League on Saturday.
The Bombers and Macedon both entered the match undefeated, having won all their games by at least five goals.
But the Bombers’ 49-44 result wasn’t a convincing win as, for much of the first three quarters, the Cats controlled the game.
Their dominance caused the Bombers to tweak their line-up at quarter-time as they looked to stop goal shooter Bec Colwell.
It didn’t work, with the Cats extending the lead out to six goals in the second quarter. They still led by four goals at half-time.
The Bombers again tweaked their line-up and the moves seemed to work early in the third quarter as the Bombers drew level.
As they did last week, the Cats fought back and, by the end of the third quarter, had the lead back out to four goals. The last quarter started the same as the third, with the Bombers coming out fast and levelling the scores.
Under pressure to hold strong in defence, the Bombers’ Danni Davidson made several timely intercepts.
This time, the Bombers pressed on to take, and hold, the lead.
While the Cats fought back, they couldn’t match it in the closing stages.
Bombers’ coach Lauren Close said the match was what she expected.
“We definitely turned up today knowing it would be tough until the last quarter, and it turned out to be.
“I don’t think you can ever be confident against Macedon.
“Bec [Colwell] coming back has been a massive addition to their team – it was never going to be over until the final siren.”
Close said her side was still working out its best line-up. The move of Davidson to goalkeeper and Bridget Aughton to goal defence proved to be vital moves in the second quarter.
“We needed a bit more movement around her, as Elyce [Carlyle] was getting stuck on the body a little bit, and Danni is good aerially and a good voice down there, too.
“We have a few new players, It’s about trying to work out what works best, especially as we won’t meet them again until finals.
“It’s not our full team; we are going to get better.”
Close, who made a comeback from a knee reconstruction against Rockbank, said she was about four weeks away from returning to the court full-time.
In other games, Rupertswood, minus captain Tess Abbott, smashed Kilmore, 104-10, while Lancefield defeated Melton Centrals, 44-33, and Romsey defeated Wallan, 62-47.
