Riddell did what it needed to in its qualifying final against Macedon in the opening weekend of the Riddell District Netball League finals.
The two sides were evenly matched for three of the four quarters, with the third proving to be the difference.
In the third, the Bombers shut down the Cats and managed to convert the turnovers into goals.
Despite letting the Cats get back into the game in the last quarter, the Bombers still won 49-40.
Bombers coach Jarrad Walker said there was still work to do on heading into at least two and maybe three more finals.
“Our third quarter was what we were happy with – we know that’s the level we can play at,” he said.
“We’ve got the ability to switch that on for four quarters
“We got a bit complacent after the third quarter and just thought we could run the game out when we should have put our foot on the accelerator.
“That’s the aim for the rest of the finals now. We know it’ll be a long finals campaign and we know we have to stay on top.”
Both sides struggled with the windy conditions early on, but it was decision-making that let the Bombers down.
Walker said they had done a good job of using the court as they wished, but had been lazy and didn’t make the most of the ball when they had it.
He said he was happy with how his side shut the Cats out in the third quarter.
Goalkeeper Lauren Close set the tone in the third, shutting down several of the Cats’ attacking forays.
She was named best on court.
Carly Harrison and Rebecca Colwell (39 goals) were the other standouts for the Bombers.
The presence of Colwell and Tarryn Munro was a bonus, as looked like they may have had to miss due to Victorian Netball League commitments, but their side lost its preliminary final.
Danielle Wilson returned to the side after an overseas holiday, while Meikah Johns returned from injury.
Walker said one of his biggest challenges was having so many players who could step on to the court and do the job,
The Bombers will face Rupertswood in a semi-final with a spot in the grand final on the line. Macedon will play Romsey in the other semi-final.
“I know what to expect against Rupertswood,” Walker said “There’s been a bit of a build-up all season about us and them. A lot of thinking has gone into how to play against them.”
