A POOR second half performance and some puzzling umpiring decisions ended the Muswellbrook Cats' HAVAL Black Diamond Plate premiership aspirations at Weeraman Field on Saturday.
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After leading 6-5-41 to 4-1-25 at the long break in the elimination final, the hosts appeared on track to claim an upset victory over the highly-fancied The Entrance Bateau Bay (TEBB).
But, the visitors lifted a gear and ran away with the encounter, 12-8-80 to 6-14-50.
The showdown started brilliantly for the Cats with Adam Higham slotting between the posts within minutes.
However, TEBB responded in the best possible fashion to enjoy a slim 3-0-18 to 1-2-8 margin at the end of the first quarter.
Muswellbrook, aided by a handy breeze, then rallied to hit the front, thanks to goals to Lennie Craft (2), Josh Adams, Matt Dunn and Jayden Galvin.
This gave the Cats a bit of breathing space - and a 16-point advantage - at the interval.
Unfortunately for the home side, TEBB booted four unanswered majors in the third term to regain the ascendency 8-4-52 to 6-8-44.
And, try as it might, Muswellbrook could not peg back the difference in the last period, adding just six behinds to the tally.
To rub salt into wound, TEBB kicked a further four goals into the wind.
Despite the result, the Cats should be proud of their efforts in 2019 and will bounce back bigger and better next season.
THE ENTRANCE BATEAU BAY 12-8-80 defeated MUSWELLBROOK CATS 6-14-50
Goal scorers (Muswellbrook): Lennie Craft 2, Adam Higham, Josh Adams, Matt Dunn, Jayden Galvin