BY NATHAN DOLE
IT’S fifth against fourth as Newbridge takes on Mitiamo in this Saturday’s 14th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
Last season’s runner-up, Mitiamo still has a top-three finish in its sights.
A win for the Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo on Newbridge’s court at Beck Legal Riverside Oval will keep the pressure on the third placed Pyramid Hill.
Going into this round, Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo are separated by two points.
A great run by the Selina Holland-coached Newbridge includes a 51-48 victory against Maiden Gully YCW on the Eagles’ court at Marist College Bendigo in the sixth round.
Newbridge is the only team to beat the reigning premier this season.
The Superoos beat Newbridge, 61-33 when they met in the fifth round at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
In last Saturday’s play, Newbridge won at home against Bridgewater by 12 goals as Mitiamo won on Inglewood’s court at Dissy Machinery Oval by 46 goals.
Another big match on Saturday will be at Bridgewater where the Mean Machine takes on Pyramid Hill.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
A win for the sixth-placed Bridgewater will keep it in striking distance of the top five.
Will not be an easy task for the Aimie Brown-coached Bridgewater which was beaten at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park by 19 goals in round five.
A superb season by the Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill includes a 48-all draw at Marong’s Malone Park in the fourth round, and a 43-37 victory at Mitiamo in round six.
Defeats for the Bulldogs were against Maiden Gully YCW by 22 goals in round seven at Marist College Oval, and last week’s 37-41 result at home against Marong.
Refreshed by the bye, Maiden Gully YCW is back on its court to play Inglewood.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles are likely to have too much attacking power for the Blues to hold across four quarters.
When these clubs met in round five the Eagles soared to an 86-19 win on Inglewood’s court.
Another big test for the Helen Ward and Dianne Wayman-coached Blues against the ladder leaders.
After a hard-fought win on Pyramid Hill’s court, Marong is back at Malone Park to take on Calivil United.
The Sue Borserio-coached Panthers will start favourites.
In round five Marong dominated at Calivil to score a 75-37 win against the Demons.
The Chelsea Hicks-coached Calivil United played well to beat Bears-Lagoon Serpentine by 22 goals last round.
The pressure and run from the Panthers will test the Demons in this contest.
The Stacee Burns-coached Bears-Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW 174 per cent, 40 points; Marong 146, 34; Pyramid Hill 125, 34; Mitiamo 156, 32; Newbridge 109, 28; Bridgewater 76, 20; Calivil United 83, 12; Inglewood 48, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 48, 0.