BY NATHAN DOLE
Newbridge fires up to face league leader
IT’S third against first as Newbridge takes on Mitiamo in Saturday’s 18th and final round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL home-and-away series.
It’s Community Bank Round supported by Inglewood Community Bank across the Loddon Valley.
Netball action will be on the courts at Inglewood, Newbridge, Pyramid Hill and Bridgewater.
Match of the round is between third and first as Newbridge and Mitiamo meet at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval in Newbridge from 3pm.
It’s a crucial contest for both teams as they prepare for the finals series.
The Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Newbridge will be striving for a confidence-lifting win as it approaches a qualifying final showdown with Pyramid Hill.
Although it’s assured of finishing on top spot and a rest in week one of the finals, Mitiamo will want to play a high level of intensity.
When these teams met in round nine it was the Jen Wilson-coached Superoos who netted a 22-goal win at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo.
Pyramid Hill will be back on its court at Mitchell Park to take on Maiden Gully YCW.
The Chelsea Emmerson-coached Pyramid Hill has played outstanding netball to achieve a win-loss tally of 12-3.
Although at home, Pyramid Hill will be wary of a the Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles who will be aiming to finish their season on a high.
It’s last game of the season for Inglewood and Marong at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
The Abbey Hayes-coached Inglewood will be desperate to break its winless run.
Tough task for the Blues against the Robyn Cunnington-coached Marong which poured in 66 goals when these teams last met at East West Oval in Malone Park.
Bridgewater will be at home to take on Calivil United.
The Caz Wood and Olivia Collicoat-coached Bridgewater played great netball to finish within two goals of Bridgewater last round.
A Calivil United line-up coached by Haylee Fawcett is capable of matching it with the red and white, but may battle to do so across four quarters.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 172 per cent, 56 points; Pyramid Hill 149, 48; Newbridge 115, 42; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 118, 40; Bridgewater 118, 36; Marong 94, 22; Maiden Gully YCW 95, 20; Calivil United 54, 8; Inglewood 41, 0.