-By Nathan Dole
A HIGH-SCORING contest between Bridgewater and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine highlighted Saturday’s start to A-grade netball across the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
Bridgewater had home-court advantage in the rematch of last season’s finalists.
When they met in last year’s elimination final it was Bridgewater which ended the Bears run in a 36-32 victory.
In round one of the ’25 campaign it was the Dani O’Toole-coached Bears which beat the red and white, 45-43.
A new-look Bears defence led by Ash Egbers and Casey Zass teamed brilliantly.
Runner-up in ’24, Pyramid Hill began this season by playing Newbridge at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Oval.
The Pyramid Hill line-up won 51-44.
Inglewood took on Marong at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
It was a tough start for the Blues as Marong netted a 50-23 victory.
Scores from the Calivil United and Maiden Gully YCW Eagles match at Calivil were not supplied.
It was a bye for Mitiamo.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Marong 217 per cent, 4 points; Pyramid Hill 115, 4, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 104, 4; Bridgewater 95, 0, Newbridge 86, 0; Inglewood 46, 0; Calivil United n/a, Maiden Gully YCW n/a, Mitiamo 0.
In next Saturday’s second round, Mitiamo starts its quest for back-to-back premierships when it plays Calivil United at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Marong faces Pyramid Hill at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine will take on Inglewood at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Maiden Gully YCW and Bridgewater clash in the Eagles’ next at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully.
Newbridge has the bye.
Round one scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Newbridge 43 dr Pyramid Hill 43, Bridgewater 49 d Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 37, Calivil United v Maiden Gully YCW not supplied, Inglewood 11 lt Marong 51, Mitiamo bye.
B-grade:
Newbridge 35 d Pyramid Hill 31, Bridgewater 37 d Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 24, Calivil United 29 lt Maiden Gully YCW 49, Inglewood 32 lt Marong 51, Mitiamo bye.
B-reserve:
Newbridge 48 lt Pyramid Hill 50, Bridgewater 46 d Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 21, Calivil United 34 lt Maiden Gully YCW 56, Inglewood 32 lt Marong 49, Mitiamo bye.
17-and-under:
Newbridge 23 lt Pyramid Hill 33, Bridgewater 70 d Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 17, Calivil United v Maiden Gully YCW not supplied, Inglewood 12 lt Marong 60, Mitiamo bye.
15-and-under:
Newbridge 13 lt Pyramid Hill 42, Bridgewater 31 lt Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 39, Calivil United 54 d Maiden Gully YCW 25, Inglewood 12 lt Marong 41, Mitiamo bye.
13-and-under:
Newbridge 38 d Pyramid Hill 10, Bridgewater 16 lt Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 17, Calivil United v Maiden Gully YCW not supplied, Inglewood 20 lt Marong 22, Mitiamo bye.