BY NATHAN DOLE
NEWBRIDGE will be eyeing back-to-back victories when it plays in Saturday’s 11th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Selina Holland-coached Maroons marked a triumphant return to their home at Beck Legal Riverside Oval last Saturday when it scored a 55-42 win against Calivil United.
This time Newbridge is up against a Bears-Lagoon Serpentine team chasing its first win of the season.
Last Saturday’s victory ensured Newbridge stayed four points clear of Bridgewater in the race for a top-five finish and finals berth.
The Maroons will start favourite to take the points against the Stacee Burns-coached Bears and will be determined to bring a high level of play to every quarter.
A high for Newbridge was the 51-48 win against Maiden Gully YCW on the Eagles’ court at Marist College Bendigo in the sixth round.
After marking its second win in ’23, Inglewood is back at Dissy Machinery Oval to take on Marong.
The Blues team, jointly coached by Helen Ward and Dianne Wayman, played excellent netball last round to score a 40-33 victory at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Saturday’s task is more daunting against a Marong line-up on the rebound from a 25-goal loss at home to Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
The Sue Borserio-coached Marong beat the Blues by 50 goals in round two, but the margin could be closer this time.
After a bye, Pyramid Hill is back on its court at Mitchell Park to play Calivil United.
When these clubs met in round two it was the Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill which won 38-25 in the Demons’ den at Calivil.
A great run by the Bulldogs this season includes six wins, one loss, and a draw.
Sole defeat so far for Pyramid Hill was a 46-68 result against Maiden Gully Eagles at Marist College Bendigo in the seventh round.
The Chelsea Hicks-coached Calivil United will work hard, but the team in red, white and blue looks to have too much attacking flair to hold across four quarters.
The ladder-leading Maiden Gully YCW is back at Marist College Bendigo to take on Bridgewater.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles showed they are going to be tough to stop in the race for this year’s premiership as it won 68-43 at Marong last Saturday.
In nine matches, Maiden Gully YCW has poured in 624 goals and has a goals against tally of 337.
Another massive test for the Aimie Brown-coached Bridgewater which was beaten by 41 goals in last Saturday’s home game by the Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo.
In round two it was the Eagles who soared to a 61-29 victory on Bridgewater’s court.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW 185 per cent, 32 points; Mitiamo 159, 28; Pyramid Hill 125, 26; Marong 144, 22; Newbridge 105, 20; Bridgewater 74, 16; Calivil United 78, 8; Inglewood 50, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 46, 0.