By Tara Murray
It was nowhere near its best performance, but Macedon did just enough to get across the line in the Riddell District Netball League.
In tough and windy conditions, the Cats were never able to get their game going against Riddell.
While the Cats got the lead out to 10 goals in the second quarter, it was never comfortable.
The Bombers continued to fight and managed to get the margin back to one goal in the last quarter.
The Cats experience shone through in the dying minutes as they steadied and were able to win, 51-47.
Cats playing coach Ciara Stewart said the weather made it hard for them to play their natural game.
She said it made the game a lot closer than it should have been.
“We play a long, fast game and with weather like this, our long game is taken completely out. That wasn’t ideal,” she said.
“We had no Chelsea [Kemp], meaning we lost our real sharp wing attack.
“When it got back to one, we said stay calm as we know what to do.
“We pulled through and that says a lot about our team.”
Stewart said at times their attacking end struggled to click, saying the team as a whole lacked the ‘team’ element at times.
“We had a slip in the third quarter, a few slips towards the end.
“We’ve had a few weeks off all playing together, we are yet to get everyone at training and it shows.
“We’ve only played Hayley [Mathews] and Chloe [Wilson] together three times this season … we’re still working on them being in the circle together.
“Caitlyn [Alifraco] hasn’t played wing attack this season, we needed her today.”
Wilson finished with 26 goals, while Stewart shot 20 goals.
Alifraco was named their best.
PHOTO GALLERY: Riddell vs Macedon
Tara O’Grady was named the Bombers’ best, shooting 21 goals.
She was joined by Stacey Gannon in the Bombers shooting circle.
Gannon, who has plenty of Victorian Netball League experience, shot 26 goals in her debut for Riddell.
Stewart said they were surprised to see Gannon on court for Riddell, but knew they had players who had played against her in the past.
Macedon remains in second spot, a game behind Rupertswood.
Stewart said the Sharks had an advantage in recent weeks due to playing indoors, while other teams were playing in the wind and rain.
The two sides don’t face each other again in the regular season.
The Cats face Woodend-Hesket, Diggers Rest, Rockbank, Romsey and Melton Centrals in the run home.
In other results, Rupertswood just got over the line against Diggers Rest, winning 43-39.
Amy Starzer shot 19 goals for the Sharks, while Hannah Keane shot 18 goals.
Romsey beat Lancefield 65-34 with Chelsea Ross shooting 48 goals from 50 attempts.
It will be a big weekend for the Redbacks, with Hope Evans playing her 200th game from Romsey and 350th overall on Saturday.
Rockbank was too good for Broadford, winning 47-27, while Wallan beat Melton Centrals 59-21.
