BY NATHAN DOLE
MITIAMO will aim to end Pyramid Hill’s unbeaten run in Saturday’s sixth round of A-grade netball action in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Superoos have home-court advantage at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo for the crucial contest as fourth takes on third.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo has a win-loss record of 3-1 after a 28-goal win at home against Newbridge last Saturday.
It’s been a superb start to the season by Pyramid Hill.
After a bye in the first round the Bulldogs won at Calivil by 13 goals and then scored a 14-goal win on their court at Mitchell Park against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
In the past fortnight the team in red, white and blue has drawn 48-all on Marong’s court at Malone Park, and won at home against Bridgewater by 19 goals.
The Bulldogs go into this match with the Superoos just two points in front of last season’s runner-up.
Key players for the Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill include Abbey Dingwall, and Imogen Broad who could start in defence or mid-court.
After missing last Saturday’s match, Gabby Kennedy will be back for the Bulldogs.
Bridgewater and Calivil United will eye a great chance to grab or move closer to a top-five berth.
The Mean Machine is at home at Bridgewater to face the Demons in round six.
A 2-3 record has Bridgewater in sixth place.
The Mean Machine is locked on the same number of wins, but more than 18 per cent behind the fifth-placed Newbridge which takes on the ladder-leading Maiden Gully YCW Eagles this round.
Bridgewater and Calivil United are both keen to rebound from defeat.
In round five, Bridgewater was outpointed by Pyramid Hill, and Calivil United could not stop Marong’s charge to victory.
The second-placed Marong is likely to be too strong for Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park this Saturday.
It was a strong performance by the Sue Borserio-coached Marong as it won last Saturday’s clash at Calivil by 38 goals.
Since the nine-goal loss in the away game against Maiden Gully in round one, Marong has marked three wins and a draw.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine is back on court after a bye.
Maiden Gully YCW has averaged 68 goals in its four wins going into the clash with Newbridge.
The mid-court skill and attacking prowess of the Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles will test Newbridge at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
Newbridge tipped off the season by winning 39-37 on Calivil United’s court.
A week later and the Maroons won 53-16 against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
It’s been a tough run the past few weeks as Newbridge was beaten at Marong by 34 goals, went down 34-35 at Bridgewater, and was outplayed at Mitiamo.
Inglewood has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 186 per cent, 16 points; Marong 160, 14; Pyramid Hill 132, 14; Mitiamo 160, 12; Newbridge 88, 8; Bridgewater 69, 8; Calivil United 78, 4; Inglewood 45, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 60, 0.