STUCK on the sidelines for the opening two rounds, Bridgewater finally takes to the court for this Saturday’s A-grade netball clash with Inglewood.
After a bye in the opening round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Footabll Netball League season, Bridgewater had another rest last Saturday as Bears Lagoon Serpentine is not fielding an A-grade team this year.
The team in red and white will be rapt to be in action as it hosts Inglewood at Laser Plumbing Bendigo Oval in Bridgewater.
A tough start to Inglewood’s campaign began with a 10-goal loss at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park and then a 23-goal defeat against Mitiamo on the reigning premier’s court at John Forbes Oval.
Gun recruit for Bridgewater is Brianna Dalrymple-Monro, a dual winner of the Betty Thompson Medal for fairest and best in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade competition when at Sandhurst.
The mid-court ace is also a premiership winner with the maroon and blue.
This year Dalrymple-Monro is in red and white as she teams up with the likes of Demi Cossar and Hayley Hogan for the Aimie Brown-coached Bridgewater.
Grand finalists in 2019, Mitiamo and Newbridge meet at John Forbes Oval in round three.
Fortunes for the Superoos and Maroons have changed dramatically since Mitiamo won the grand final by seven goals.
After a rest in round one of this season, Mitiamo scored a big win against Inglewood last round.
Newbridge will be desperate to hit back from a 17-goal loss to Maiden Gully YCW at Marist College Oval and then last week’s 18-47 result at home against Pyramid Hill at Simonds Homes Riverside Oval.
A tough run for the Maroons does not become any easier.
It’s another twilight game at Marist College Oval as Maiden Gully YCW Eagles face Marong.
The third-placed Eagles have beaten Newbridge by 17 goals and Calivil United by three.
After a stunning 19-goal win at home against Calivil United in round one, Marong had the bye last Saturday.
Undefeated and on top of the ladder, Pyramid Hill takes on Calivil United at Mitchell Park.
It’s been a superb start by the red, white and blue.
Pyramid Hill scored a 10-goal win at home against Inglewood in round one and followed up with a 47-29 victory at Newbridge in round two.
Playing at home, Pyramid Hill will be confident of more success.
The Calivil United Demons will be fired up after consecutive defeats.
When these clubs met in round 17 of 2019, Calivil United beat Pyramid Hill by 16 goals.
The margin is likely to be a lot closer this time.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s teams in the lower netball grades have the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Pyramid Hill 195 per cent, 8 points; Mitiamo 160, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 124, 8; Marong 138, 4; Bridgewater 0, 4; Calivil United 80, 0; Inglewood 64, 0; Newbridge 55, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole