THE Maiden Gully YCW Eagles showed they are a team to be reckoned with after Saturday’s convincing win against Bridgewater in the 16th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
The Eagles soared to a 20-8 lead by quarter-time of the match at Maiden Gully’s Marist College Oval.
It was a crucial contest for both clubs in the fight to claim the double chance at finals time.
Bridgewater worked hard in the second and third terms, but the Eagles marked another superb performance to claim a 73-45 victory.
It was the second time this year that Maiden Gully YCW had outplayed Bridgewater.
The seventh round clash between the Eagles and Mean Machine ended in a 76-48 win for the Eagles on Bridgewater’s court.
The ladder-leading Mitiamo bounced from its first defeat of the season to score a 12-goal win at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
The hard-fought win for the Superoos has scuttled Pyramid Hill’s hopes of featuring in this year’s finals action.
Although it had the weekend off because Bears Lagoon Serpentine is not fielding an A-grade team, Marong is now two wins and five per cent clear of Pyramid Hill in the fight to be fifth.
Calivil United’s red-hot form rolled on against Inglewood at Dissy Machinery Oval in Inglewood.
The Demons outplayed the Blues, 82-34.
A brilliant run of seven wins in the past eight rounds by Calivil United includes the 60-56 win on Mitiamo’s court at John Forbes Oval in the 13th round played on July 10.
Newbridge had the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 136 per cent, 40 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 122, 36; Calivil United 128, 32; Bridgewater 107, 28; Marong 100, 24; Pyramid Hill 95, 16; Newbridge 61, 8; Inglewood 57, 8.
In next Saturday’s 17th round, Bridgewater plays Pyramid Hill at Bridgewater Bakehouse Oval.
Marong and Inglewood meet on the Panthers’ court at Discover Marong Park in Malone Park.
Calivil United takes on Newbridge at 5 Star Stockfeeds Oval in Calivil.
It will be another rest for the A-grade team at Maiden Gully YCW, but the Eagles will play Bears Lagoon Serpentine in the lower grades at Marist College Oval.
Mitiamo has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole.