BY NATHAN DOLE
NETBALL is back on Raywood’s court when Calivil United takes on Maiden Gully YCW in Saturday’s eighth round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
In A-grade it will be a big ask for the Chelsea Hicks-coached Calivil United to beat the ladder-leading Eagles.
Although they are seventh in the premiership race on a 1-5 record, the Demons did play well in their latest match on Mitiamo’s court at John Forbes Oval.
The match between the Superoos and Demons ended in a 59-45 victory for Mitiamo.
After a three-goal loss at home to Newbridge in round six, Maiden Gully YCW hit back to score a 22-goal win against Pyramid Hill last round.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles are on the road after consecutive home games at Marist College Bendigo.
Eagles’ goalshooter and Helen Ward medallist as league fairest and best, Tia Webb was in hot form last round and will test the Demons all match.
Another big contest will be at Bridgewater where the Mean Machine takes on Marong.
The Aimie Brown-coached Bridgewater has a 4-3 record and is sixth in the premiership race.
Bridgewater goes into this match locked on equal wins with Newbridge which has the bye.
Defeat the Sue Borserio-coached Marong and Bridgewater ends the round in the top five.
It will not be an easy task as Marong returns from the bye.
The Panthers scored 101 goals in their round six match against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Pyramid Hill is back on its court at Mitchell Park to play Inglewood.
An unbeaten run by the Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill was ended in last Saturday’s match at Maiden Gully.
A 46-68 result for Pyramid Hill followed wins against Calivil United, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, Bridgewater and Mitiamo.
The Bulldogs drew their match on Marong’s court in the fourth round.
A Pyramid Hill team which includes the experience of Jess Holdstock and Gabby Kennedy, and skilful Imogen Broad looks too strong for Inglewood.
Jointly coached by Helen Ward and Dianne Wayman, Inglewood is on the rebound from a loss to Newbridge on the Blues’ court at Dissy Machinery Oval.
The Blues capped a great return to A-grade by winning the first-round match at home against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, but are now eighth on a 1-5 record.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine faces the fourth-placed Mitiamo at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Stacee Burns-coached Bears worked hard to finish within 21 goals of Bridgewater last round.
Mitiamo’s past two hit-outs have been at home where they were beaten 37-43 by Pyramid Hill, and bounced back for a 59-45 win against Calivil United.
The Jen Wilson-coached Superoos should mark their fifth victory of the season.
Newbridge has the bye.
Next match for the Selina Holland-coached Newbridge will be at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW 160 per cent, 20 points; Marong 182, 18; Pyramid Hill 112, 18; Mitiamo 142, 16; Newbridge 107, 16; Bridgewater 85, 16; Calivil United 78, 4; Inglewood 43, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 52, 0.