BY NATHAN DOLE
A CLASH between the third and first-placed Mitiamo and Maiden Gully YCW highlights this Saturday’s 12th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The ladder-leading Eagles from Maiden Gully will make their way to Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
When last season’s grand finalists met in round three it was the Eagles who netted a 70-51 victory at Marist College Bendigo.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles go into Saturday’s match on a 9-1 record and looking strong in pursuit of back-to-back premierships.
In last Saturday’s play, Maiden Gully YCW marked another home-court victory in a 66-39 win against Bridgewater.
After a bye, the Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo will be determined to take the points at home against the Eagles.
A 7-2 record has the Superoos in third place on the ladder.
Mitiamo won its most recent hit-out against Bridgewater by 41 goals.
A key factor for the Superoos this Saturday will be limiting the influence that Eagles’ gun goaler Tia Webb has on the contest.
Maiden Gully YCW also has the experienced Christie Griffiths in mid-court.
Another crucial match will be at Beck Legal Riverside Oval in Newbridge where the Maroons host Marong.
These clubs sit in fifth and fourth place in the premiership race, so this may be an elimination final preview.
The Selina Holland-coached Newbridge has achieved a 6-4 record.
One of those defeats was a 32-67 result at Marong’s Malone Park in round three.
Refurbishment after flooding meant Newbridge played all eight matches in the first half of the season away from home.
The Maroons will be at Riverside for the rest of the home-and-away series.
In last Saturday’s action, Newbridge scored a 21-goal win at home against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
The Sue Borserio-coached Marong dominated last Saturday’s play at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval to score a 77-24 win against the Blues.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine faces Pyramid Hill at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Stacee Burns-coached Bears worked hard to finish within 21 goals of Newbridge last round.
Second in the premiership race, Pyramid Hill won at home last Saturday against Calivil United.
The Gemma Scott-coached Bulldogs beat the Demons by 13 goals.
Been a dramatic rise by Pyramid Hill this season.
In ’22 the red, white and blue finished in seventh place on five wins.
Bridgewater hosts Inglewood in this Saturday’s play.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
The Aimie Brown-coached Bridgewater is eight points behind the fifth-placed Newbridge so must win to keep the heat on.
It’s been a tough run for Bridgewater which has played Mitiamo and Maiden Gully YCW the past two rounds.
In round three, Bridgewater won 43-33 against the Helen Ward and Dianne Wayman-coached Blues at Dissy Machinery Oval.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW 183 per cent, 36 points; Pyramid Hill 125, 30; Mitiamo 159, 28; Marong 154, 26; Newbridge 110, 24; Bridgewater 72, 16; Calivil United 78, 8; Inglewood 47, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 47, 0.