Cats hold on for the win

Melton Centrals players celebrate a goal against Macedon. (Damian Visentini)

 

One bad quarter was all that stood between the Melton Centrals and an upset win in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.

Taking on the highly touted Macedon, the Centrals showed why they have been one of the big improvers to start the season, going goal-for-goal with the Cats in the first half.

Trailing by just five points at the main break, Melton needed to ensure its level didn’t drop at the resumption of play.

However, it was Macedon that came out of the rooms ready to make a move.

The Cats’ defence locked Melton down, conceding just one goal for the quarter. There were no such scoring problems at the other end, with the Cats finding their range inside 50.

Macedon booted 7.2 to streak ahead to a 41-point lead at the final change.

Despite a win being out of reach, the Centrals continued to fight, kicking six goals to three in the final term to cut the margin to 25 points.

The 16.17 (113)-13.10 (88) win maintains Macedon’s unbeaten start to the year.

The Cats are in second spot on the ladder, trailing Diggers Rest on percentage.

Diggers Rest had another strong performance at the weekend, defeating Romsey by 51 points.

In a replay of last year’s grand final, the Burras ensured it would be a happier result for the club this time around. Diggers Rest controlled the match from the opening moments, booting five first quarter goals to none.

There was no relinquishing of pressure across the next three quarters en route to the 13.13 (91)-6.4 (40) win.

In other results from the weekend, Rockbank lost to Lancefield, Sunbury Kangaroos defeated Rupertswood in a one-point thriller and Riddell got the better of Broadford.