BY NATHAN DOLE
FOR the first time in many weeks, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles have to rebound from defeat in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball competition.
The Eagles take to their court at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully for this Saturday’s seventh round showdown with Pyramid Hill.
A 48-51 loss at home to Newbridge last Saturday was the Eagles first defeat since last season’s second semi-final against Mitiamo.
After that defeat the-then Christie Griffiths-coached Maiden Gully YCW hit back to beat the Superoos in the grand final.
This season the Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles had answered all challenges as they won their opening four matches by margins by nine, 32, 19, and 67 goals.
Then along came the Selina Holland-coached Newbridge which played its best match of the ’23 season to clip the Eagles’ wings at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
Being up against Pyramid Hill will not be an easy task for the MGYCW line-up.
The Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill is unbeaten and climbed to the second rung on the ladder.
In last Saturday’s play the Bulldogs scored a 47-37 victory on Mitiamo’s court at John Forbes Oval.
This round the Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo is back on its court to play Calivil United.
The Demons played well to finish within six goals at Bridgewater last round.
After such a great performance to beat the Eagles, Newbridge will be wary of dropping its intensity when it plays at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
Inglewood is back on court after a bye.
The previous round the Blues were outplayed by Maiden Gully YCW at Inglewood.
Newbridge holds fifth place on the ladder and is under pressure from Bridgewater which will play Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve this Saturday.
Stronger defence will be the key for the Bears after Marong passed the 100-goal mark last round in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
The ladder-leading Marong has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Marong 182 per cent, 18 points; Pyramid Hill 129, 18; Maiden Gully YCW 162, 16; Mitiamo 145, 12; Newbridge 92, 12; Bridgewater 75, 12; Calivil United 79, 4; Inglewood 45, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 50, 0.