BY NATHAN DOLE
NEWBRIDGE broke the winning run by Maiden Gully YCW Eagles in Saturday’s sixth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Selina Holland-coached Newbridge was determined to break a three-match losing streak after it began the season with consecutive wins.
It was a daunting task for the Maroons as they took on the reigning premier who had won the opening four matches by margins of nine, 32, 19 and 67 goals.
Newbridge also had to play the Eagles on their court at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
The Maroons’ run across the previous three rounds had been defeats by 34 goals, a goal, and 28.
On Saturday, Newbridge cast aside any doubts about being able to beat the 2022 premiers by playing at a high level in all thirds of the court.
There were many outstanding contributors to a Maroons’ victory which was spearheaded by a 40-goal return by Kym Childs.
At the other end of the court, Maiden Gully YCW had Tia Webb in hot form.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles clawed their way to a two-goal lead by half-time, but the Maroons dominated most of the third to gain a six-goal buffer.
Heat was on in the last, but Newbridge teamed well to claim a hard-fought 51-48 victory.
The play of Jorja Hufer and Emily Langley in defence was a key factor in the Maroons’ upsetting the Eagles who slid to the third rung on the ladder.
Pyramid Hill’s unbeaten run kept rolling.
The Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill won 43-37 on Mitiamo’s court at John Forbes Oval.
The Superoos were without brilliant goaler and multiple league best and fairest winner, Laura Hicks.
Bridgewater kept the heat on the fourth and fifth-placed teams by scoring a 42-36 win at home against Calivil United.
Marong passed the century mark in its clash with Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
The Sue Borserio-coached Panthers won 101-31 victory on their court at Malone Park and in the process moved to the top of the ladder on percentage from Pyramid Hill.
Inglewood had the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Marong 183 per cent, 18 points; Pyramid Hill 129, 18; Maiden Gully YCW 162, 16; Mitiamo 145, 12; Newbridge 91, 12; Bridgewater 75, 12; Calivil United 79, 4; Inglewood 45, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 50, 0.
In next Saturday’s round seven action, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles take on Pyramid Hill at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
Inglewood returns from the bye to host Newbridge at Dissy Machinery Oval.
Mitiamo is at home again to play Calivil United at John Forbes Oval .
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine faces Bridgewater at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Marong has the bye.
Round six scoreboard:
B-grade:
Maiden Gully YCW 67 d Newbridge 31, Mitiamo 29 lt Pyramid Hill 44, Bridgewater 57 d Calivil United 34, Marong 63 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 63, Inglewood bye.
C-grade:
Maiden Gully YCW 56 d Newbridge 29, Mitiamo 22 lt Pyramid Hill 57, Bridgewater 47 d Calivil United 21, Marong 54 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 35, Inglewood bye.
C-reserve:
Maiden Gully YCW 43 d Newbridge 32, Mitiamo 21 lt Pyramid Hill 26, Bridgewater 37 d Calivil United 26, Marong 55 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 38, Inglewood bye.
17-and-under:
Maiden Gully YCW 60 d Newbridge 13, Mitiamo 26 lt Pyramid Hill 45, Bridgewater 37 lt Calivil United 56, Marong 41 lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 48, Inglewood bye.
15-and-under:
Mitiamo 19 lt Pyramid Hill 47, Bridgewater 23 lt Calivil United 34, Marong 32 lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 35, Maiden Gully YCW bye, Inglewood bye.
13-and-under:
Mitiamo 6 lt Pyramid Hill 28, Bridgewater 18 lt Calivil United 59, Marong 20 dr Bears-Lagoon Serpentin 20, Maiden Gully YCW bye, Inglewood bye.
Ladders after six rounds:
B-grade:
Marong 208 per cent, 24 points; Maiden Gully YCW 154, 16; Pyramid Hill 124, 16; Newbridge 95, 16; Bridgewater 104, 12; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 63, 8; Inglewood 55, 4; Mitiamo 69.9, 0; Calivil United 69.8, 0.
C-grade:
Marong 225 per cent, 24 points; Maiden Gully YCW 202, 16; Pyramid Hill 139, 16; Bridgewater 126, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 125, 12; Newbridge 72, 8; Mitiamo 73, 4; Calivil United 51, 0; Inglewood 18, 0.
C-reserve:
Marong 249 per cent, 20 points; Maiden Gully YCW 202, 20; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 146, 16; Bridgewater 129, 16; Newbridge 95, 12; Pyramid Hill 45, 6; Inglewood 47, 4; Calivil United 56, 2; Mitiamo 54, 0.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 173, 20; Marong 164, 20; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 138, 16; Calivil United 126, 16; Maiden Gully YCW 146, 12; Pyramid Hill 66, 4; Newbridge 58, 4; Mitiamo 31, 4.
15-and-under:
Bridgewater 162 per cent, 20 points; Calivil United 147, 16; Maiden Gully YCW 127, 14; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 90, 12; Marong 83, 12; Inglewood 139, 10; Pyramid Hill 86, 8; Mitiamo 37, 4.
13-and-under:
Calivil United 670 per cent, 20 points; Maiden Gully YCW 274, 16; Bridgewater 65, 16; Inglewood 192, 12; Pyramid Hill 93, 12; Marong 50, 10; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 41, 6; Mitiamo 19, 4.