BY NATHAN DOLE
Tussle for double chance rolls on
JUST who holds the double chance in the A-grade netball finals in the Loddon Valley FNL is far from decided rolling into Saturday’s round 17 action.
Third place is occupied by Newbridge, but the Maroons are just two points clear of the fourth and fifth-placed Bridgewater and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Newbridge will make its way to Calivil United this round for a 3pm showdown.
Although beaten by three goals, the Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Newbridge will have gained plenty of confidence from last Saturday’s match against Pyramid Hill.
The Maroons will start favourite to take the points against the Haylee Fawcett-coached Calivil United.
Newbridge’s focus is squarely on this match and playing well in preparation for the final round showdown with Mitiamo on the Maroons’ court Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval.
Bridgewater and BLS must win to keep the heat on Newbridge.
Tough task for Bridgewater as it takes on the ladder-leading Mitiamo on the Superoos’ court at John Forbes Oval.
When these teams met in round eight the Jen Wilson-coached Superoos won 53-40 on Bridgewater’s court.
The Caz Wood and Olivia Collicoat-coached Bridgewater will be determined to bring a high level of defensive intensity to this contest in Mitiamo.
Although it cannot make finals, Maiden Gully YCW has a chance to climb to the sixth rung by beating Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles will be on their court at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully to face the Bears.
Maiden Gully YCW played well to win at Marong’s East West Oval by five goals last round.
The Danielle O’Toole-coached BLS marked a six-goal win against the Eagles in round eight at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Pyramid Hill will be back on its court at Mitchell Park to play Inglewood.
The Chelsea Emmerson-coached Pyramid Hill will be determined not to allow standards to drop.
Pyramid Hill takes on the Blues this round and then the Eagles to tune-up for the finals action.
Although it’s winless the Abbey Hayes-coached Inglewood has put some solid quarters together this season.
Being able to halt a goalscoring spree against more experienced teams is a huge challenge for the Blues every Saturday.
Marong has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 178 per cent, 52 points; Pyramid Hill 144, 44; Newbridge 111, 38; Bridgewater 120, 36; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 117, 36; Marong 94, 22; Maiden Gully YCW 97, 20; Calivil United 54, 8; Inglewood 42, 0.