Macedon is through to the Riddell District Netball League preliminary final after a thrilling win against Romsey on Sunday.
It was a game neither side could absolutely control and run away with.
Scores were level at quarter-time. The Cats moved ahead to lead by three goals at the main break, but that lead was reduced to one goal at the last change.
Scores remained close in the dying minutes; the Cats had what they thought was a one-goal lead, the scoreboard said it was two. The final score was 49-47.
Cats’ coach Ciara Stewart said they were lucky to get the win.
“The scoreboard says it was two goals, but we’re sure it was only one goal in the end.
“We got lucky in the end that it went our way, but we will take it.”
The Cats led by as many as six goals, but in the end it came down to the wire, and the Cats were able to hold on.
“We played around a lot with the ball, like we did against Romsey [during the season] and Rupertswood.
“We knew how long was on the timer after being caught out in the earlier grades.”
Young goaler Tara Burnip was key for the Cats in the win.
After struggling last week, Burnip scored 35 goals in a best-on-court performance.
“She was exceptional,” Stewart said.
“We ended up benching Chloe [Wilson] and that doesn’t happen often.
“The goal defence was able to control Chloe and help out on Tara.”
For more pictures of Sunday’s game, CLICK HERE
All 10 players took to the court for the Cats, including Janelle Birch, who at one time looked like missing the game through injury.
“She has been icing every four hours and doing lots of physio … we wouldn’t have won without her.”
For the Redbacks, Hope Evans shot 36 goals, and was their best.
The Cats now face Rupertswood in a preliminary final. The Cats beat the Sharks by a point the last time the two met.
“We’re playing against really good company, and we’re happy to be against it,” Stewart said.
“A win is a bonus for us. We’ll be happy with a very great performance.
“We need to produce a four-quarter performance, which we haven’t done against Riddell or Romsey.
“If this is what we can produce in our first season, then imagine what we’ll be like next year.”
