BY NATHAN DOLE
Important contest at Newbridge
NEWBRIDGE is back on its court at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval to face Bridgewater in this Saturday’s round 10 action in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball season.
It’s third against fourth when play begins at Newbridge at 3pm.
A Newbridge team jointly coached by Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy is a win clear of Bridgewater in the race for a top-three berth and double chance at finals time.
When these clubs met in round one it was Newbridge which claimed a 37-26 victory on Bridgewater’s court.
The Maroons are on the rebound from a 22-goal at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval last Saturday.
The Caz Wood and Olivia Collicoat-coached Mean Machine won on Calivil United’s court by 12 goals.
Another big match on Saturday will be at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park where the Bulldogs take on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
The Chelsea Emmerson-coached Pyramid Hill starts the round in second place and fighting to grab top spot from Mitiamo.
The Bulldogs made their way to Marist College Oval last Saturday where they beat the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles by 17 goals.
Been a terrific season by the Danielle O’Toole-coached Bears who are fifth, but under pressure from Marong to stay there.
The Bears had the bye last round.
Previous meeting between the Bears and Bulldogs ended in a 60-45 win for Pyramid Hill at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Calivil United will be on its court at Calivil to take on Maiden Gully YCW.
Another big test for the Haylee Fawcett-coached Demons whose sole win this season was a 48-36 victory against Inglewodo in Reconciliation Round.
The Eagles must win to stay in touch with the top five.
Maiden Gully YCW beat the Demons by 22 goals in round one and should take the points again.
Since a 17-goal victory against Inglewood on May 11 the Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles have endured losses to Newbridge by a goal, against Marong by five, and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine by six.
Was a tough test for the Eagles against Pyramid Hill last round.
The ladder-leading Mitiamo will be back at John Forbes Oval to take on Marong.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo won the first-round clash with the Panthers by 38 goals.
A Marong team coached by Robyn Cunnington starts the round locked on four wins with BLS, but more than 15 per cent behind.
Inglewood has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 183 per cent, 28 points; Pyramid Hill 160, 28; Newbridge 119, 24; Bridgewater 121, 20; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 110, 16; Marong 95, 16; Maiden Gully YCW 91, 8; Calivil United 54, 4; Inglewood 37, 0.