NEWBRIDGE faces a test at Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in Saturday’s 17th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley season.
The Maroons and Bears will play at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve from 3pm.
After dropping from the third rung following last Saturday’s loss on Bridgewater’s court, Newbridge has a chance to jump back there.
A top-three finish will ensure the Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Newbridge has the double chance at finals time.
Back in round eight it was Newbridge which scored a 41-37 win against the Bears at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval.
There is still plenty of incentive for the Bears which put in a great effort to finish within 10 goals of the ladder-leading Mitiamo last round.
A Bears’ line-up jointly coached by Danielle O’Toole and Lara Clements will be determined to net an upset win.
Marong will be on its court at Jackal Oval in Malone Park to play Mitiamo.
The Bridget Willox-coached Marong won last Saturday’s match against Maiden Gully YCW Eagles by 39 goals.
Pressure from Mitiamo will be higher in all thirds of the court.
In round eight it was Mitiamo which beat the Panthers by 10 goals on the court at John Forbes Oval.
The Abbey Battersby and Jess Kaur-coached Superoos are unbeaten in their pursuit of back-to-back premierships.
Calivil United faces a big task against Pyramid Hill at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
The Cindy Portwine-coached Demons will be determined to put the heat on, but doing so across every quarter will be a test.
Calivil United played well to score a 54-25 win at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval last round.
In round eight Pyramid Hill dominated play against the Demons to record a 91-41 victory at Mitchell Park.
The Chelsea Emmerson, Simone Edgley and Laura Herbert-coached Pyramid Hill also had the luxury of a bye last round.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will be on their court at Marist College Oval to play Inglewood.
The Leisa Barry-coached Eagles will be eyeing their fourth win of the season.
In round eight the Eagles beat the Blues by 32 goals.
Been a tough run for the Caitlyn Cartwright-coached Inglewood which has played some fine quarters, but battled for consistency in matches.
Bridgewater has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 171 per cent, 56 points; Pyramid Hill 147, 48; Bridgewater 139, 36; Newbridge 125, 36; Marong 115, 32; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 96, 24; Calivil United 72, 12; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 62, 12; Inglewood 37, 0.
Loddon Valley FNL netball ladders after 16 rounds:
A-reserve:
Bridgewater 129 per cent, 52 points; Marong 145, 42; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 123, 42; Pyramid Hill 139, 38; Newbridge 122, 30; Mitiamo 102, 26; Calivil United 92, 18; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 52, 8; Inglewood 42, 0.
B-grade:
Bridgewater 168 per cent, 56 points; Marong 153, 48; Newbridge 129, 40; Pyramid Hill 127, 34; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 92, 30; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 87, 20; Calivil United 62, 14; Mitiamo 73, 8; Inglewood 62, 6.
B-reserve:
Bridgewater 147 per cent, 52 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 142, 48; Pyramid Hill 142, 44; Newbridge 110, 36; Inglewood 94, 28; Marong 111, 24; Calivil United 79, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 58, 4; Mitiamo 54, 4.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 208 per cent, 52 points; Calivil United 162, 52; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 150, 40; Marong 145, 36; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 83, 28; Mitiamo 68, 18; Pyramid Hill 65, 16; Inglewood 54, 10; Newbridge 47, 4.
15-and-under:
Calivil United 375 per cent, 56 points; Marong 176, 44; Bridgewater 139, 40; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 120, 40; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 95, 26; Pyramid Hill 95, 22; Inglewood 61, 20; Mitiamo 35, 8; Newbridge 35, 0.
13-and-under:
Newbridge 418 per cent, 56 points; Calivil United 124, 40; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 123, 40; Marong 137, 36; Pyramid Hill 71, 28; Bridgewater 112, 24; Inglewood 76, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 52, 12; Mitiamo 32, 4.