BY NATHAN DOLE
THE top four on the A-grade netball ladder all won by significant margins in Saturday’s eighth round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
After its unbeaten run had been ended the previous round by Maiden Gully YCW, Pyramid Hill bounced back in style on its court at Mitchell Park.
The Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill took on Inglewood.
Abbey Dingwall was outstanding in defence as Pyramid Hill claimed a 59-30 win against an Inglewood team jointly coached by Helen Ward and Dianne Wayman.
Calivil United marked its return to Raywood, but could not halt Maiden Gully YCW’s dominance in all thirds of the court.
The Chelsea Hicks-coached Calivil United faced a huge challenge against the reigning premier.
An Eagles line-up coached by Adam Boldiston won 68-26 on a day where Calivil United celebrated its links to Northern United Football Club.
Mitiamo was in a ruthless mood against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo won 88-29 as it prepared for the upcoming match at home against Marong.
After a bye, Marong was back in action on Bridgewater’s court.
The Sue Borserio-coached Marong linked brilliantly through mid-court and into attack on its way to a 77-49 victory.
Newbridge had the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW 169 per cent, 24 points; Marong 177, 22; Pyramid Hill 121, 22; Mitiamo 159, 20; Newbridge 107, 16; Bridgewater 80, 16; Calivil United 70, 4; Inglewood 44, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 48, 0.
Clubs reach the halfway mark of the home-and-away series next Saturday.
Mitiamo and Marong meet in a big match at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Pyramid Hill hosts Newbridge at Mitchell Park.
Inglewood is back home at Dissy Machinery Oval to play Calivil United.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles take on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine at Marist College Bendigo Oval.
Bridgewater has the bye.
Round eight scoreboard:
B-grade:
Bridgewater 35 lt Marong 53, Calivil United 33 lt Maiden Gully YCW 66, Pyramid Hill 43 d Inglewood 25, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 35 d Mitiamo 33, Newbridge bye.
C-grade:
Bridgewater 33 lt Marong 64, Calivil United 39 lt Maiden Gully YCW 65, Pyramid Hill 77 d Inglewood 8, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 43 d Mitiamo 30, Newbridge bye.
C-reserve:
Bridgewater 28 lt Marong 50, Calivil United 27 lt Maiden Gully YCW 41, Pyramid Hill 34 d Inglewood 23, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 64 d Mitiamo 25, Newbridge bye.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 47 d Marong 42, Calivil United 33 lt Maiden Gully YCW 36, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 66 d Mitiamo 18, Pyramid Hill bye, Newbridge bye.
15-and-under:
Bridgewater 37 d Marong 28, Calivil United 46 d Maiden Gully YCW 28, Pyramid Hill 27 dr Inglewood 27, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 61 d Mitiamo 2.
13-and-under:
Bridgewater 22 d Marong 7, Calivil United 61 d Maiden Gully YCW 11, Pyramid Hill 12 lt Inglewood 16, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 16 d Mitiamo 5.
Ladders after eight rounds:
B-grade:
Marong 199 per cent, 28 points; Maiden Gully YCW 160, 24; Pyramid Hill 115, 20; Newbridge 104, 20; Bridgewater 103, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 67, 12; Mitiamo 78, 4; Inglewood 55, 4; Calivil United 67, 0.
C-grade:
Marong 220 per cent, 28 points; Maiden Gully YCW 188, 24; Pyramid Hill 155, 20; Bridgewater 109, 20; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 117, 16; Newbridge 84, 12; Mitiamo 77, 8; Calivil United 57, 0; Inglewood 16, 0.
C-reserve:
Maiden Gully YCW 203 per cent, 28 points; Marong 237, 24; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 159, 24; Newbridge 107, 16; Bridgewater 105, 16; Pyramid Hill 52, 10; Calivil United 68, 6; Inglewood 49, 4; Mitiamo 51, 0.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 148 per cent, 28 points; Calivil United 155, 20; Maiden Gully YCW 152, 20; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 147, 20; Marong 146, 20; Newbridge 58, 8; Pyramid Hill 60, 4; Mitiamo 26, 4.
15-and-under:
Calivil United 186 per cent, 24 points; Bridgewater 140, 24; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 143, 20; Maiden Gully YCW 119, 18; Inglewood 131, 16; Marong 82, 12; Pyramid Hill 80, 10; Mitiamo 26, 4.
13-and-under:
Calivil United 693 per cent, 28 points; Bridgewater 88, 24; Inglewood 182, 20; Maiden Gully YCW 129, 20; Pyramid Hill 77, 12; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 52, 10; Marong 47, 10; Mitiamo 17, 4.