IT WAS predicted to be a thriller and the 13 & Under B Cats had everyone on the edge of their seats as they came within just four goals of causing the upset of the season, when the second semi-final was forced into extra time on Saturday.

The young Cats are the last Casterton Sandford team in the finals hunt and came up against the undefeated Millicent in the Western Border second semi-final at McDonald Park on Saturday.

Previous encounters with the Saints saw margins of just three, 10 and eight goals, respectively and the Cats netballers were confident that if they played well for four quarters, they would push Millicent all the way and could cause an upset to advance straight into the grand final.

Millicent won the toss and took the first centre pass, however tight defence from Ella McKinnon (WD), Ylana Grigg (GD) and Chloe Kurzman (GK) caused a turnover and the Cats’ attackers ensured that they scored.

The Cats girls had two goals on the scoreboard before Millicent scored, but in the middle part of the quarter, Millicent capitalised on their defensive turnovers that resulted in six goals to four lead, at the first break.

Both teams made changes at the break, but Casterton-Sandford adjusted quicker and dominated the quarter.

The Cats’ defenders of Nicole Cornish (WD), Rachel Forbes (GD) and Ylana Grigg (GK) increased the pressure on their opponents which resulted in several turnovers.

The transition of the ball into attack was excellent from Marlee Robbins (C), Renee Gorman (WA) and Makayla Rees (GA), who fed goal shooter Phoebe Rhook (GS) with precision.

Rhook shot accurately in front of goals this quarter, shooting seven goals and Rees was also accurate, shooting five goals, while at the other end of the court, Millicent only managed six goals for the quarter.

At half-time the lead had change to the Cats, 16 to 12.

Again, both teams made changes at the long break.

Adele Murphy entered the game for the Cats at wing defence and worked hard to apply pressure on her opponent.

In this quarter, Millicent used two smaller goalies who were quick and this change caused issues for the Cats’ defenders.

Millicent dominated the third quarter scoring 10 goals to Casterton-Sandford’s three to take a three-goal lead into the last quarter, 22 to 19.

At the final break, both teams made changes, Casterton-Sandford switching-up their defenders and the Cats’ coach stressed that the players just needed one turnover to be right back in the game, asking her players to be patient around the goal circle and work the ball into their goalies.

For much of the last quarter it was goal-for-goal.

With just a couple of minutes left in the quarter, the Cats’ defenders picked up a loose ball and were able to transition the ball into attack where the goalies capitalised.

Then the Cats’ attackers scored from their centre pass to come within one goal of Millicent.

On the Millicent centre pass, the Cats’ defenders increased their pressure and caused a turnover that Casterton Sandford was able to score from.

This left the scores level and a Casterton Sandford centre pass with about 10 seconds of play left.

The Cats’ attackers were just about to penetrate their goal circle when the umpire called time.

The scores were 26 goals each and extra time was required to determine a winner.

The extra time was five minutes at each end.

Unfortunately for Casterton-Sandford, Millicent had a very strong first five minutes so that at the change of ends, Millicent led 31 to 28.

The last five minutes was a tight tussle and Casterton Sandford just didn’t have enough time to cause turnovers.

The final score was Millicent 34 to Casterton-Sandford 30.

It was a fantastic game of netball from these young netballers.

All 10 Cats players had contributed during the match and did everything that the coach had asked of them.

The Cats play in the preliminary final against West Gambier at 10.45am this Saturday at Island Park, to earn a place in the grand final.