Match-winning quarter keeps Macedon’s record in tact

08/07/2017. Melton/Moorabool Star Weekly. Rdnldigmac. Issue Date 11/07. RDNL A Grade Netball. Diggers Rest v Macedon. Diggers Rests Jayde Peters and Macedons Briarley Delaney. Picture Shawn Smits.

Macedon’s netballers were able to do what their footballers could not on Saturday, maintaining their unbeaten record with a comeback win over Diggers Rest.

While the Cats only won one quarter for the day, one dominant period of play proved enough to get them over the line, 49-45, and kept them a game clear of Romsey on top of the ladder.

Diggers Rest grabbed the early ascendency through Amy Carroll and Shelby Strong as the home side took a three-point lead into the first change.

Both sides traded blows throughout the second quarter as they each scored 13 goals, but it was the third quarter which would prove the decisive term.

The Cats outscored the hosts 16-7 to shoot to the lead, with Chloe Wilson unstoppable with 10 goals.

The six-goal margin in the last quarter proved too much for the Burras, who had their best quarter with 15 goals but could not stop Macedon scoring at the other end as the visitors took the win.

Wilson finished with 30 goals, while Strong (20 goals) and Carroll (25) were strong all match.

The win keeps Macedon on top, while Diggers hang onto sixth.

Elsewhere, Melton Centrals was too strong for Woodend Hesket in their match, with a dominant second half delivering a strong 51-31 win.

The two sides were tight early, with Centrals leading by just two points at the first change and four at half-time.

Vanessa Seddon took control of the game in the third term – the Centrals goal shooter getting 11 goals for the quarter to stretch the game open.

The Hawks had no answers in the final term as the home side continued to score freely and grab a good win.

Sunbury Kangaroos were never in the contest against Rockbank, falling to a 21-55 loss.

Rockbank wrapped up the points with a 29-9 first half, thanks largely to Jessica Herron who had 21 on her own.

The Kangaroos nearly doubled their score with eight third-quarter goals, but it was too little too late as the Rams grabbed their second win of the season.

Finally, Rupertswood fell to just its fourth loss of the season, going down to Romsey, 45-37.

While Hayley Mathews (22 goals from 31 shots) had a strong day, and three of the four quarters were tight, a Romsey dominated second quarter was enough to secure the points.