BY NATHAN DOLE
Big match on Newbridge’s court
THERE’S plenty at stake as Newbridge takes on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in this Saturday’s 12th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
Newbridge has home-court advantage at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval.
The showdown between the Maroons and Bears could be a prelude to the elimination final as they start the round in fourth and fifth place.
A Newbridge team jointly coached by Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy is now just points clear of the Bears after last Saturday’s 48-all draw on Marong’s court at Malone Park.
As the Maroons featured in a drawn contest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine beat Inglewood by 18 goals at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Just three goals separated the Maroons and the Danielle O’Toole-coached Bears when they met in Anzac Round on April 27.
On that occasion Newbridge won 38-35 on the BLS court.
A testing run for the Bears across the next few rounds includes the July 13 home game against Marong and then at home to face Bridgewater a week later.
It’s the rematch of ’23 grand finalists, Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully this Saturday.
A vastly-different Eagles line-up coached by Adam Boldiston is working hard, but lapses of a couple of minutes have proven costly.
The Eagles played well to finish within 11 goals of the third-placed Bridgewater last round on the Mean Machine’s court at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve.
It’s going to be another huge challenge for Maiden Gully YCW against the ladder-leading Mitiamo.
Being competitive in every quarter, and possibly winning one or two will be a goal for the young Eagles squad.
In round three the Jen Wilson-coached Superoos defeated the Eagles by 23 goals at John Forbes Oval.
Pyramid Hill faces a danger game at home against Marong at Mitchell Park.
The Chelsea Emmerson-coached Pyramid Hill is second in the premiership race, but will be wary of an opponent which drew with Newbridge last round.
A Marong team coached by Robyn Cunnington will be determined to take the maximum points as it fights to stay in touch with the top five.
Margin may be a lot closer than the 20 the red, white and blue won by at Marong in round three.
Inglewood will be on its court at Centre State Scaffolding Oval to play Bridgewater.
Another big challenge for the Abbey Hayes-coached Blues against its third-placed opponent.
The Caz Wood and Olivia Collicoat-coached Bridgewater poured in 65 goals as it beat the Blues by 37 goals in round three.
Calivil United has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 181 per cent, 32 points; Pyramid Hill 159, 32; Bridgewater 130, 28; Newbridge 105, 26; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 114, 24; Marong 91, 18; Maiden Gully YCW 94, 12; Calivil United 53, 4; Inglewood 39, 0.