BY NATHAN DOLE
THERE were pulsating finishes to the A-grade netball matches at Marong and Bridgewater in Saturday’s fourth round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
Marong took on Pyramid Hill on the Panthers’ court at Malone Park.
A mid-court star in the club’s two most recent premiership wins, Gabby Kennedy was back on court for Pyramid Hill.
The visitors made a superb final-quarter comeback to level scores on 48-all by the final whistle.
Another huge plus for the Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill was the return of Abbey Dingwall to the court where she starred in a great match for the red, white and blue.
Best for the Sue Borserio-coached Marong were Danielle O’Toole and Abby Thompson.
The Aimee Brown-coached Bridgewater fought on for a 35-34 win against Newbridge.
It was consecutive wins for the Mean Machine which now has a two-two record.
Calivil United played well at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve to beat the Bears by 14 goals.
A 41-27 victory for the Chelsea Hicks-coached Demons has them in seventh place, but only a win behind Mitiamo, Newbridge and Bridgewater.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo struck back from defeat the previous round to score an 81-25 victory against Inglewood on the Superoos’ court at John Forbes Oval.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball ladder:
Maiden Gully 147 per cent, 12 points; Marong 150, 10; Pyramid Hill 124, 10; Mitiamo 154, 8; Newbridge 101, 8; Bridgewater 72, 8; Calivil United 99, 4; Inglewood 54, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 60, 0.
In Saturday’s fifth round, Pyramid Hill is on its court at Mitchell Park to play Bridgewater.
Newbridge hosts Mitiamo at Holloway Air Riverside Oval.
Inglewood faces Maiden Gully YCW Eagles on the Blues’ court at Dissy Machinery Oval.
Calivil United meets Marong in the Demons’ den at Calivil.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Round four scoreboard:
B-grade:
Marong 53 d Pyramid Hill 34; Mitiamo 30 lt Inglewood 39; BL-Serpentine 45 d Calivil United 41; Bridgewater 28 lt Newbridge 45.
C-grade:
Marong 61 d Pyramid Hill 41; Mitiamo 48 d Inglewood 20; BL-Serpentine 40 d Calivil United 34; Bridgewater 42 d Newbridge 32; Maiden Gully YCW bye.
C-reserve:
Marong 65 d Pyramid Hill 10; Mitiamo 30 lt Inglewood 44; BL-Serpentine 58 d Calivil United 24; Bridgewater 34 lt Newbridge 37; Maiden Gully YCW bye.
17-and-under:
Marong 55 d Pyramid Hill 21; BL-Serpentine 35 lt Calivil United 39; Bridgewater 45 d Newbridge 25; Mitiamo bye, Maiden Gully YCW bye.
15-and-under:
Marong 37 d Pyramid Hill 32; Mitiamo 19 lt Inglewood 48; BL-Serpentine 18 lt Calivil United 28; Bridgewater bye, Maiden Gully bye.
13-and-under:
Marong 17 lt Pyramid Hill 31; Mitiamo 5 lt Inglewood 44; BL-Serpentine 4 lt Calivil United 47; Bridgewater bye, Maiden Gully YCW bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL netball competitions after four rounds:
B-grade:
Marong 197 per cent, 16 points; Newbridge 102, 12; Pyramid Hill 117, 8; Maiden Gully YCW 109, 8; Bridgewater 96, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 80, 8; Inglewood 65, 4; Calivil United 77, 0; Mitiamo 75, 0.
C-grade:
Marong 244 per cent, 16 points; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 155, 12; Bridgewater 122, 12; Maiden Gully YCW 158, 8; Pyramid Hill 115, 8; Mitiamo 85, 4; Newbridge 71, 4; Calivil United 58, 0; Inglewood 19, 0.
C-reserve:
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 189 per cent, 16 points; Marong 264, 12; Maiden Gully YCW 193, 12; Bridgewater 110, 8; Newbridge 85, 8; Inglewood 54, 4; Calivil United 68, 2; Pyramid Hill 35, 2; Mitiamo 49, 0.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 256 per cent, 16 points; Marong 243, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 148, 12; Calivil United 138, 12; Maiden Gully YCW 107, 4; Mitiamo 19, 4; Pyramid Hill 51, 0; Newbridge 47, 0.
15-and-under:
Bridgewater 207, 16; Calivil United 200, 12; Inglewood 149, 8; Maiden Gully YCW 135, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 81, 8; Marong 72, 8; Pyramid Hill 71, 4; Mitiamo 36, 0.
13-and-under:
Calivil United 1077 per cent, 12 points; Inglewood 312, 12; Bridgewater 76, 12; Maiden Gully YCW 300, 8; Pyramid Hill 75, 8; Marong 63, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 28, 4; Mitiamo 19, 0.