It wasn’t pretty, but Macedon was just happy to come away with the win against Riddell in the Riddell District Netball League.
The undefeated Cats entered the grand final rematch against the Bombers as favourites, and were made to fight all the way in the 45-35 win.
The Cats had a 12-goal lead at half-time and looked to have the game in control, but they knew they would need every goal of that lead.
They entered the game without Tara Burnip and Madeleine Huggins, while Chelsea Kemp had to watch from the sidelines, as Victorian Netball League commitments meant she couldn’t play.
Chloe Wilson and Janelle Birch were restricted to playing half a game each because of their VNL commitments.
The Cats were going to call up several B grade players but were unable to after they suffered injuries in the B grade game.
With Birch and Wilson headed to the bench, the Cats had few options and were forced to change things around in the second half.
The Bombers took advantage and reduced the margin to 10 goals at three-quarter time, then got to within six goals in the last quarter before the Cats regrouped.
Cats coach Ciara Stewart said the win “felt lucky”.
“We executed and did a great job and by half-time we had a really good lead,” she said.
“With VNL restrictions, it meant one player couldn’t play and two players had to come off, which meant it restricted our team.
“We knew we had to get out to a good start … the lead kept us in the game. We had to rework things and we just had to hang in there.”
Wilson was the best of the goalers with 20, while Stewart shot 19 goals.
Stewart said she was impressed with the work of defender Briarley Delaney, who recently joined the Cats.
The Cats are 4-0 after a tough start to the season.
Stewart said they were thrilled to be unbeaten while adjusting to having players with VNL restrictions. Last season, the Cats had no VNL players. This season they have four.
Stewart said they were hoping things would settle down in the next few weeks and allow the players to gain a bit more continuity.
For the Bombers, who had a couple of B-grade players step up for the game, Tanisha Bardzinski shot 14 goals after coming on in the second half.
Romsey is the only other undefeated team after beating Diggers Rest 52-36.
Rupertswood had a big win against Woodend-Hesket, Lancefield defeated Sunbury Kangaroos and while Melton Centrals were too strong for Rockbank.
