Macedon is the first team through to the Riddell District Netball League A-grade grand final.
The Cats made the most of facing an undermanned Riddell to make it through to the final game of the season.
The 37-34 loss was Riddells first this season. It will now play Rupertswood in a preliminary final for a second chance to make the grand final.
Missing Mikaela Vaughan and Madison Caulfield, the Bombers faced Macedon with a different line-up to the one that had been on court in recent weeks.
The Cats took advantage to grab a four-goal lead by quarter-time.
The Bombers settled in the second term to lead 18-17 at the main break.
But it was the Cats who excelled in the second half, leading by three goals at three-quarter-time and extending that to six midway through the last.
The Bombers hit back, but only when it was too late.
Bec Colwell was the standout shooter as all the others struggled for accuracy. She shot 36 of the Cats’ 37 at 84 per cent accuracy.
Cats president Terry Kernan said the team was on a high after making the grand final.
The A-grade netballers are the only Cats, netball or football, left in finals.
Kernan said he knew early on the girls were in for a good game; they had a glint in their eyes.
“Now we’re absolutely over the moon,” Kernan said.
“It was fantastic … no one expected us to get there.”
Kernan paid tribute to Karri Ambler and Kelly Nicholas, who took over the coaching when the club sacked Melissa Climas in July.
“They are just saints,” he said. “They have brought a camaraderie that has made us a united and particularly happy club.
“We may not be the best team in the competition, but we are the happiest.”
In a massive boost for the side, Tarryn Mackie returned to the action for the first time since round 11.
“She’s an absolute delight,” Kernan said. “Everyone played their role on the day, but having Tarryn back was a huge change.
“We had a very strategic plan that Karri and Kelly set up, and it worked.”
For how the Bombers plan to bounce back, visit www.starweekly.com.au
