Calivil United ends Marong’s premiership pursuit
CALIVIL United put Marong out of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s A-grade netball premiership race on Sunday.
The Demons and Panthers contested the first semi-final on the Calivil Recreation Reserve court.
In round eight, Calivil United scored a home-court win against Marong by eight goals.
The match in the 17th round at Marong’s Malone Park ended in a 52-all draw.
In the first semi it was Calivil United which prevailed in a fiercely-fought contest.
The Karen Pascoe and Teigan Redwood-coached Demons won 40-36 to advance to next Saturday’s preliminary final clash with Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Marong’s finals campaign with a 16-goal loss to Mitiamo in the qualifying final, while Calivil United had scored a five-goal victory against Bridgewater in the elimination final.
In the B-grade first semi-final, Maiden Gully YCW won a thrilling contest with Pyramid Hill.
The Eagles struck back from a 16-goal loss to Bridgewater in the qualifying final to score a 38-36 victory in their latest hit-out with Pyramid Hill.
In C-grade, Marong stayed in the premiership race after a 51-42 win against Bears Lagoon Serpentine in the first semi-final.
Both teams had played out dramatic finishes in week one of the finals.
Marong was beaten 36-37 in the qualifying final showdown with Bridgewater, while the Bears won 47-44 against Calivil United in the elimination final.
In C-reserve, Newbridge was too strong for Bridgewater in the first semi.
Determined to bounce back from a two-goal loss to Marong on day one of the finals action, the Maroons beat Bridgewater, 42-30.
In the 17-and-under competition, Calivil United marked a 45-29 victory in the first semi against Bridgewater.
The Demons were fired up after a 37-50 loss to Maiden Gully YCW in the qualifying final, while Bridgewater moved through to week two of the finals after a 12-goal win against Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
It was a dramatic finish to the 15-and-under first semi-final between Maiden Gully Eagles and Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
The Bears clawed their way to a 40-39 victory a week after a two-goal win against Calivil United in the elimination final.
It was a tough run for the Eagles who were beaten by a goal in the qualifying final showdown with Pyramid Hill.
The 13-and-under first semi-final went the way of Calivil United.
Another exciting contest with Mitiamo ended in a 30-26 victory for the Demons.
After a 20-goal win in the elimination final against Bears Lagoon Serpentine, Calivil United is a win away from a grand final appearance.
Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge:
15-and-under at 10.30am: Pyramid Hill v Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
13-and-under at noon: Pyramid Hill v Calivil United.
17-and-under at noon: Newbridge v Calivil United.
C-reserve at 1.30pm: Marong v Newbridge.
B-grade at 1.30pm: Newbridge v Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
C-grade at 3pm: Bridgewater v Marong.
A-grade at 3pm: Maiden Gully YCW v Calivil United.
Four clubs have teams who have qualified for grand finals on September 10 at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
Mitiamo is through to another A-grade decider, and Bridgewater has reached the B-grade grand final.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles has C-grade, 17-and-under to feature on grand final, and Marong will be represented in the 15-and-under and 13-and-under season deciders.
Written by Nathan Dole.
