MARONG marked a six-goal turnaround in the final quarter of the A-grade netball clash with Bridgewater to take the points in Saturday’s 13th round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Bridget Willox-coached Marong faced a four-goal deficit at the start of the final quarter of the match on the Panthers’ court at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
The Panthers played inspired netball to record a 54-52 victory and in doing so moved three wins of the sixth-placed Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Marong and the Bridgewater team which is jointly coached by Caz Wood and Olivia Hoiles played out of the one games of the season.
Saturday’s showdown between Marong and the Mean Machine may have been a prelude to the elimination final as they sit fourth and fifth in the premiership race.
Pyramid Hill was too strong for Bears-Lagoon Serpentine on the Bulldogs’ court at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
The Pyramid Hill line-up won 57-41.
The Danielle O’Toole and Lara Clements-coached Bears were desperate for an upset victory and to stay in touch with the top five.
It was not to be as Pyramid Hill was in control for a lot of the contest on its way to its 10th victory of the season.
Runner-up to Mitiamo last season, Pyramid Hill has had Chelsea Emmerson, Simone Edgley and Laura Herbert join forces as coach.
It was big wins for Newbridge and the ladder-leading Mitiamo.
The Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Newbridge marked a 67-17 win on Inglewood’s court at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Was another tough afternoon for the Caitlyn Cartwright-coached Inglewood against an opponent which has now jumped to rung three on the ladder.
Although it had home-court advantage at Marist College, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles could not halt the impressive play of the unbeaten Mitiamo.
The Leisa Barry-coached Eagles worked hard, but the Superoos’ slick passing and accurate goaling were telling factors in an 83-34 victory.
Mitiamo is being coached by Abbey Battersby and Jess Kaur as it chases back-to-back premierships.
It was a bye for the Calivil United team which is coached by Cindy Portwine.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 161 per cent, 44 points; Pyramid Hill 137, 40; Newbridge 146, 32; Bridgewater 144, 28; Marong 111, 28; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 90, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 65, 12; Calivil United 68, 8; Inglewood 40, 0.
In next Saturday’s 14th round it will be Bridgewater at home against Pyramid Hill from 3pm.
Sixth faces fifth as Bears-Lagoon Serpentine hosts Marong at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Newbridge meets Calivil United on the Maroons’ court at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval.
It’s the Superoos against the Blues as Mitiamo and Inglewood play on Mitiamo’s court at John Forbes Oval.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL netball round 13 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Marong 41 lt Bridgewater 52, Pyramid Hill 54 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 16, Inglewood 13 lt Newbridge 62, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 42 d Mitiamo 24, Calivil United bye.
B-grade:
Marong 32 d Bridgewater 31, Pyramid Hill 44 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 31, Inglewood 12 lt Newbridge 20, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 36 d Mitiamo 28, Calivil United bye.
B-reserve:
Marong 48 d Bridgewater 43, Pyramid Hill 55 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 30, Inglewood 27 lt Newbridge 34, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 47 d Mitiamo 16, Calivil United bye.
17-and-under:
Marong 31 lt Bridgewater 36, Pyramid Hill 19 lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 40, Inglewood 30 dr Newbridge 30, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 51 d Mitiamo 18, Calivil United bye.
15-and-under:
Marong 26 lt Bridgewater 27, Pyramid Hill 19 lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 42, Inglewood 38 d Newbridge 20, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 55 d Mitiamo 27, Calivil United bye.
13-and-under:
Marong 21 lt Bridgewater 23, Pyramid Hill 30 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 21, Inglewood 11 lt Newbridge 39, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 25 d Mitiamo 6, Calivil United bye.
Loddon Valley FNL netball ladders after 13 rounds:
A-reserve:
Bridgewater 131 per cent, 40 points; Marong 142, 36; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 120, 36; Pyramid Hill 133, 34; Newbridge 124, 22; Mitiamo 98, 18; Calivil United 91, 14; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 57, 8; Inglewood 40, 0.
B-grade:
Bridgewater 172 per cent, 44 points; Marong 142, 40; Pyramid Hill 119, 30; Newbridge 124, 28; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 95, 26; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 90, 16; Calivil United 64, 12; Mitiamo 69, 4; Inglewood 66, 4.
B-reserve:
Pyramid Hill 147 per cent, 40 points; Bridgewater 145, 40; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 143, 40; Newbridge 105, 28; Marong 110, 20; Inglewood 94, 20; Calivil United 83, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 56, 4; Mitiamo 50, 0.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 205 per cent, 44 points; Calivil United 159, 40; Marong 154, 32; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 148, 32; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 81, 24; Pyramid Hill 68, 16; Mitiamo 66, 12; Inglewood 50, 6; Newbridge 48, 2.
15-and-under:
Calivil United 335 per cent, 44 points; Marong 173, 36; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 129, 36; Bridgewater 138, 32; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 96, 22; Pyramid Hill 97, 18; Inglewood 65, 16; Mitiamo 32, 4; Newbridge 39, 0.
13-and-under:
Newbridge 412 per cent, 44 points; Marong 146, 32; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 111, 32; Calivil United 143, 28; Pyramid Hill 104, 20; Bridgewater 104, 20; Inglewood 75, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 50, 8; Mitiamo 30, 4.