This Saturday the Riddell League A-grade netball final home and away round has plenty at stake for several sides.
Macedon, after languishing just outside the top six for most of the season, jumped into sixth spot at Kyneton’s expense on Saturday.
To remain there, the Cats would need to defeat third-placed Lancefield at Tony Clarke Reserve, in case seventh-placed Kyneton cause an upset by toppling ladder-leader Woodend-Hesket.
Macedon’s head coach Katie Clarke was pleased to learn second-placed Wallan had eclipsed Kyneton 38-26 (Maeve Donegan 32 goals) in a low-scoring tussle at Magpieland.
Without star shooter Ellie Bird — now interstate — the Tigers struggled for goals and face a daunting task against the Hawks who are likely to be at full strength.
Macedon promoted four young players to A-grade and they settled in well in a good overall team effort.
The Cats won 64-44 against Melton South to move to sixth, with vastly experienced Chloe Williams 32 and Alana Ellis 23 the main scorers.
LANCEFIELD THIRD
Three seasons ago, Lancefield had the reputation as ‘easy beats’ but importing Ciara Stewart as head coach has paid off, with the Tigers third on the ladder after outclassing Melton Centrals 66-33.
Quality shooter Shanae Brundell led the way with 64 goals, and the Tigers have claimed some quality scalps this season. If they win, they will play in an elimination final against the sixth side.
Lancefield netball co-ordinator Kerry Hammond said the club has a real chance of having four teams in the finals, illustrating the depth that now exists.
There was a battle royal at Riddell, where an improved Romsey pushed fourth-placed Riddell all the way before the Bombers prevailed 54-52.
Maddison Thompson scored 42 goals for the Redbacks, after earlier shooting 51 for the second-placed Romsey side in B-grade.
Tarnee Hammond’s scoring spree continued with 60 for ladder leader Lancefield in B-grade.
In the remaining A-grade game, fifth-placed Gisborne Giants downed Diggers Rest 48-37.
LADDERS
With one round to play before finals begin, positions of teams in the Riddell League netball competition are:
A-grade: Woodend-Hesket 56, Wallan 54, Lancefield 52, Riddell 52, Gisborne Giants 50, Macedon 44, Kyneton 42, Romsey 22, Melton Centrals 20, Diggers Rest 12, Melton South 12.
B-grade: Lancefield 64, Romsey 64, Wallan 56, Macedon 52, Gisborne Giants 44, Riddell 36, Kyneton 32, Melton Centrals 22, Melton South 20, Diggers Rest 14, Woodend-Hesket 12.
C-grade: Riddell 60, Macedon 58, Melton South 56, Gisborne Giants 52, Romsey 48, Woodend-Hesket 40, Wallan 34, Lancefield 24, Diggers Rest 24, Melton Centrals 12, Kyneton 8.
D-grade: Melton South 66, Diggers Rest 60, Lancefield 58, Gisborne Giants 48, Woodend-Hesket 40, Kyneton 38, omsey 30, Riddell 24, Macedon 20, Melton Centrals 20, Wallan 12.
19&Under: Wallan 64, Riddell 64, Melton South 56, Romsey 48, Digges Rest 40, Gisborne Giants 36, Lancefield 36, Woodend-Hesket 32, Melton Centrals 16, Macedon 12, Kyneton 12.