BY NATHAN DOLE
AFTER a draw the previous round, Pyramid Hill is back on its court at Mitchell Park to face Bridgewater in Saturday’s fifth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL competition.
The Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill put in a superb final quarter to make it 48-all by the final whistle of a great battle with Marong in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
The Bulldogs were rapt to have Gabby Kennedy and Abbey Dingwall back on court.
Both will play key roles against a Bridgewater line-up which fought to score a 35-34 win against Newbridge.
The Aimie Brown-coached Mean Machine now has a two-two record and determined to keep the heat on the fifth-placed Newbridge team.
It’s another big match for Newbridge as the Maroons host Mitiamo at Holloway Air Riverside Oval.
After a run of four away games the Selina Holland-coached Newbridge will be rapt to be at home.
The Maroons started the season with wins at Calivil and Serpentine, but have been beaten the past two rounds by Marong and Bridgewater.
Strong defence in all thirds of the court will be crucial for Newbridge after the Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo scored 81 goals in last Saturday’s win against Inglewood on the Superoos’ court at John Forbes Oval.
Inglewood faces Maiden Gully YCW Eagles on the Blues’ court at Dissy Machinery Oval.
The Helen Ward and Dianne Wayman-coached Inglewood marked its return to the top grade by scoring a 47-35 victory against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the opening round on the Blues’ court at Dissy Machinery Oval.
Big test for the Blues in trying to halt the Eagles’ charge through mid-court and into attack.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles have begun their pursuit of back-to-back premierships by beating Marong by nine goals, Bridgewater by 32, and Mitiamo by 19.
The Eagles have averaged more than 60 goals in three matches and have an against tally of 127.
Calivil United meets Marong in the Demons’ den at Calivil.
The Chelsea Hicks-coached Demons were fired up after a 0-2 start to the season and hit back for a 14-goal win against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine at Serpentine.
Another big test for the red and blue against the Sue Borserio-coached Marong which had Abby Thompson and Danielle O’Toole as best in the clash with Pyramid Hill.
After Saturday’s match, Calivil is at home to play Marong in round five, and then takes on Bridgewater in the sixth round.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball ladder:
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 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.