BY NATHAN DOLE
BEING first to qualify for the grand final is up for grabs as netball teams contest the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL second semi-finals on Saturday.
A big day at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve features five clubs across seven grades.
Last season’s grand finalists, Maiden Gully and Mitiamo meet in the A-grade second semi-final at 3pm.
This season’s meetings between the Eagles and Superoos stand at two-nil in favour of Maiden Gully YCW.
In the grand final rematch played in round three it was the Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles who soared to a 70-51 victory on their court at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
Next showdown was in round 12 at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
On that day the Eagles won 64-55 against the Jen Wilson-coached Superoos.
Great run by Maiden Gully YCW to end the regular season on a 15-1 record.
Only defeat so far was a 48-51 result against Newbridge at Marist College Bendigo in the sixth round.
Mitiamo began its finals campaign with a 57-45 win against Marong in last Saturday’s qualifying final at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve.
The Superoos were 13-3 in the home-and-away series and teamed brilliantly to outrun the Panthers on day one of the finals series.
The Sue Borserio-coached Marong earned the double chance by finishing the home-and-away series in third place and take that chance in Sunday’s first semi at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
A big test for the Panthers playing Pyramid Hill on the Bulldogs’ court.
Both teams ended the regular season on identical records of 11 wins, four defeats, one draw.
The Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill stayed in the premiership race by scoring a 50-27 win against Newbridge in the elimination final played at Beck Legal Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The Panthers and Bulldogs have played out two exciting matches this season.
In round four scores were locked on 48-all as the whistle sounded to end the match on Marong’s court at East West Oval in Malone Park.
The Panthers won 41-37 at Pyramid Hill in the 13th round.
It’s a showdown between Marong and Maiden Gully YCW in the B-grade second semi-final at 1.30pm.
The Eagles marked a 44-31 victory against Pyramid Hill in the qualifying final.
Maiden Gully YCW and Marong met in the opening round of the season where the Panthers won 51-38 on the Marist College Bendigo court.
In round 10 it was Marong which scored a 66-50 victory at home against the Eagles.
On Sunday it’s Pyramid Hill against Bridgewater in the B-grade first semi from 1.30pm.
The Bulldogs will be determined to rebound from defeat.
Bridgewater scored a 50-42 victory in the elimational final clash with Newbridge.
This season’s record between the first semi-finalists stands at one-all.
Pyramid Hill won in round five, 42-34, and Bridgewater took the points in a 39-32 result at home in the 14th round.
In the C-grade competition, Maiden Gully YCW faces Marong in the second semi-final at 3pm.
The Panthers won 59-52 on Maiden Gully YCW’s court in round one.
Brilliant clash in the 10th round at Marong ended in a 43-42 victory for the Eagles.
The Panthers clawed their way to a 42-40 victory in last Saturday’s qualifying final against Pyramid Hill.
On Sunday, Pyramid Hill is at home to meet Newbridge in the first semi.
A 47-45 win against Bridgewater in the elimination final kept the Bulldogs in the premiership race.
Both of this season’s meetings between the Bulldogs and Maroons have gone Pyramid Hill’s way, 39-23 at home in round nine, and 50-40 at Newbridge in the 18th round.
Marong and Maiden Gully YCW meet in the C-reserve second semi-final at 1.30pm.
The Eagles tipped off the finals series by scoring a 31-27 win against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the qualifying final.
In round one, Maiden Gully YCW beat Marong, 42-41.
Return match in the 10th round at Marong ended in a 45-30 win for the Panthers.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine has won both matches against first semi opponent, Newbridge, but by not by significant margins.
In round two, BLS won 36-32 at Serpentine.
Result in the 11th round was 33-28 at Newbridge.
The Maroons marked a 37-26 victory against Bridgewater in the elimination final.
Marong faces Bridgewater in the 17-and-under second semi-final at noon.
A closely-fought qualifying final between Bears-Lagoon Serpentine and Bridgewater ended in a 58-56 win for the Mean Machine.
This season’s meetings between Marong and Bridgewater stand at one-all.
Bridgewater won at home in the eighth round by five goals, while Marong won 52-46 in the 17th round.
Sunday’s first semi-final features Bears-Lagoon Serpentine against Maiden Gully YCW.
It was a dramatic start to the Eagles’ finals campaign as it won the elimination final against Calivil United by a goal.
The Bears beat the Eagles by four and 26 goals in the home and away series.
Calivil United plays Bridgewater in the 15-and-undre second semi-final from 10.30am.
The Mean Machine marked a 43-39 win against Inglewood in the qualifying final.
In round six the Demons won 34-24 on Bridgewater’s court.
Scores were 37-all in the round 15 clash at Calivil.
Inglewood will fight to keep its season alive when it plays Maiden Gully YCW in the first semi.
The Eagles scored a 47-30 win against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the elimination final.
The round five match between the Blues and Eagles at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval ended 21-all.
A 39-32 result meant the Blues took the points in the round 14 clash.
The league’s youngest stars will contest the 13-under finals from noon.
In the second semi, Calivil United plays Bridgewater.
A high-scoring qualifying final between Bridgewater and Maiden Gully YCW went the way of the team in red and white, 35-27.
Calivil United has dominated this season’s matches against Bridgewater to win by margins of 41 and 20 goals.
The first semi features Maiden Gully against Inglewood.
A 14-13 victory capped a dramatic elimination final for the Blues against Pyramid Hill.
This season’s meetings between the first semi-finalists were won by the Eagles, 25-11 at Inglewood in round five, and 38-31 at home in the 14th round.
Draw for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve:
A-grade at 3pm: Maiden Gully YCW v Mitiamo.
B-grade at 1.30pm: Marong v Maiden Gully YCW.
C-grade at 3pm: Maiden Gully YCW v Marong.
C-reserve at 1.30pm: Marong v Maiden Gully YCW.
17-under at 12pm: Marong v Bridgewater.
15-under at 10.30am: Calivil United v Bridgewater.
13-under at 12pm: Calivil United v Bridgewater.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park:
A-grade at 3pm: Marong v Pyramid Hill.
B-grade at 1.30pm: Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater.
C-grade at 3pm: Pyramid Hill v Newbridge.
C-reserve at 1.30pm: Bears-Lagoon Serpentine v Newbridge.
17-under at 12pm: Bears-Lagoon Serpentine v Maiden Gully YCW.
15-under at 10.30am: Inglewood v Maiden Gully YCW.
13-under at 12pm: Maiden Gully YCW v Inglewood.