A cat has been thrown among the pigeons in the fight for top two spots in the Riddell District Netball League.
All season it has appeared as though Rupertswood and Riddell would fill those placings, as they have in the previous two years, but Macedon could quite easily find themselves in second spot after this Saturday’s games.
The Cats had nothing to lose going into the season’s final two rounds. Guaranteed to finish at least third, something they were happy with, they took on and beat Rupertswood on Saturday.
Both sides had periods of dominance in the game, but it came down to the final seconds, the Cats winning 50-49.
For coach Ciara Stewart, winning was a bonus.
The Cats appeared to be the better side for the first half, leading by as many as eight goals, but they lost that lead late in the third term.
In trouble in the final quarter, they found another gear and kept their composure to take the win.
Stewart said changes to the attacking end didn’t work and once they went back to the original combinations, they got their game going again.
“We went into this game thinking it didn’t matter and we were going to finish third and were really happy with third,” Stewart said.
“There had been hope for top two. I think not having the pressure of knowing there was something on the line is what we needed.
“If we won it’d be amazing; if we didn’t we had to make sure we didn’t lose by too much.”
Tara Burnip and Chloe Wilson shared the goals with 25 apiece. Burnip was adjudged best on court, with Stewart saying she was proud of how the young goaler handled the pressure.
Sharks coach Di McCormack said she wasn’t too unhappy with the performance, though her players had become flustered in the dying minutes.
“We had the hardest run coming home, in all grades,” she said. “We knew we had finals starting two weeks out.
“I think it’ll make us go in stronger. I’d rather that than easy games – seeing where we fall short.
“We’ll get better.”
Tess Abbott was named the Sharks’ best player, while Kirsten Daley also impressed after moving into wing defence in the second half.
The Sharks face Riddell, who moved above them on the ladder, in the final round. A loss could see the Sharks slip to third, behind the Cats.
Sixth spot also remains up for grabs, with Lancefield moving ahead of Diggers Rest on percentage.
A win against Romsey in the final round would see the Tigers take the finals spot. A loss and Burras win against Sunbury Kangaroos would see the spot go to the Burras.
