-By Nathan Dole
BIG matches at Mitiamo and Newbridge feature in Saturday’s eighth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
Unbeaten in its quest for back-to-back premierships, Mitiamo will be back on its court at John Forbes Oval to play Marong from 3pm.
It’s first against fifth as the Superoos face the Panthers.
The Abbey Battersby and Jess Kaur-coached Mitiamo kept the winning streak rolling in a 43-goal win at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve last Saturday.
A high-scoring match went Mitiamo’s way, 85-42.
Marong moved a win ahead of the sixth-placed Bears in a hard-fought clash with Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
The Bridget Willox-coached Marong won 46-38 in the Panthers’ den at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Huge challenge for the Panthers this round in trying to limit the amount of goalscoring chances the Superoos create.
Another big match will be at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval in Newbridge where the Maroons will play Bears-Lagoon Serpentine from 3pm.
The Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Newbridge marked one of its best matches of the season in a 47-44 win at home against Bridgewater last round.
Now the Maroons take on a Bears line-up that will be snarling after such a big defeat inflicted by Mitiamo.
The Danielle O’Toole and Lara Clements-coached Bears start this round in sixth place.
Pyramid Hill will be back on its court at Mitchell Park to play Calivil United from 3pm.
The Bulldogs had the bye last round as Calivil United achieved its first victory of the season in a 47-37 result at home against Inglewood.
A Pyramid Hill team jointly coached by Chelsea Emmerson, Simone Edgley and Laura Herbert will be determined to take the points and strengthen its place on the ladder’s second rung.
Massive challenge for the Cindy Portwine-coached Calivil United which will have gained a lot of confidence from defeating the Blues.
Inglewood will be back on its court at Centre State Scaffolding Oval to take on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles from 2pm.
The Caitlyn Cartwright-coached Inglewood marked a season-high 37 goals in the Demons’ den at Calivil.
It’s another road trip for Maiden Gully YCW following an eight-goal loss at Marong’s Jackal Oval in Malone Park.
The Leisa Barry-coached Eagles are an identical win-loss tally of one-five with Calivil United.
The Demons and Eagles have percentage of 68.17 and 68.15.
Bridgewater has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 181 per cent, 24 points; Pyramid Hill 129, 20; Bridgewater 140, 16; Newbridge 134, 16; Marong 109, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 90, 12; Calivil United 68.17, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 68.15, 4; Inglewood 41, 0.
League ladders after seven rounds:
A-reserve:
Bridgewater 125 per cent, 24 points; Marong 152, 20; Pyramid Hill 129, 18; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 117, 16; Mitiamo 120, 14; Newbridge 108, 10; Calivil United 93, 6; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 61, 4; Inglewood 42, 0.
B-grade:
Bridgewater 171 per cent, 28 points;
Newbridge 138, 20;
Marong 132, 20;
Pyramid Hill 117, 12;
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 100, 12;
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 87, 8;
Mitiamo 76, 4;
Inglewood 66, 4;
Calivil United 64, 4.
B-reserve:
Bridgewater 142 per cent, 28 points;
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 155, 20;
Pyramid Hill 148, 20;
Newbridge 101, 12;
Inglewood 99, 12;
Marong 113, 8;
Calivil United 89, 8;
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 49, 4;
Mitiamo 49, 0.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 200 per cent, 24 points;
Calivil United 150, 20;
Marong 145, 16;
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 144, 16;
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 80, 12;
Pyramid Hill 75, 12;
Mitiamo 83, 8;
Inglewood 52, 4;
Newbridge 42, 0.
15-and-under:
Calivil United 347 per cent, 24 points;
Marong 151, 20;
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 131, 20;
Bridgewater 119, 16;
Inglewood 64, 12;
Pyramid Hill 101, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 92, 8;
Mitiamo 45, 4;
Newbridge 42, 0.
13-and-under:
Newbridge 420 per cent, 24 points;
Marong 165, 20;
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 144, 20;
Pyramid Hill 82, 16;
Calivil United 107, 8; Inglewood 73, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 66, 8;
Bridgewater 69, 4;
Mitiamo 29, 4.