-by Nathan Dole
A SHOWDOWN between top three teams Mitiamo and Newbridge features in Saturday’s sixth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The ladder-leading Mitiamo will be on its court at John Forbes Oval against the third-placed Maroons.
Play will start at 3pm.
A great run of form by the Abbey Battersby and Jess Kaur-coached Mitiamo kept rolling as it passed the 70-goal mark in last Saturday’s play.
The reigning premiers won 71-30 on Inglewood’s court at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Newbridge also netted its third win of the season when it played at Calivil last round.
A Maroons’ line-up coached by Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy won 57-30.
A win-loss record of three-one has put Newbridge in third place in the premiership race.
The team in maroon and white will be desperate to achieve an upset victory on the road.
Pyramid Hill will be be back on its court at Mitchell Park against Inglewood.
The Bulldogs teamed superbly to win last Saturday’s home game against Bridgewater by six goals.
A tally of four wins has the Chelsea Emmerson, Simone Edgley and Laura Herbert-coached Pyramid Hill in second place in the premiership race.
It’s another big test for the Caitlyn Cartwright-coached Inglewood.
Another important match will be at at Maiden Gully’s Marist College Oval where the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles take on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
The Leisa Barry-coached Eagles had the bye last round and go into this match in seventh place on the ladder.
It’s a crucial game for the Eagles and Bears as both strive to stay in striking distance of the top five.
The Danielle O’Toole and Lara Clements-coached Bears are on the rebound from an eight goal loss on Marong’s court at Jackal Oval in Malone Park.
A two-two record has the Bears starting this round in sixth place on the ladder.
A challenging run for the Bears includes facing Mitiamo at Gadsden Finance Serpentine on May 24 in the season’s eighth round.
Bridgewater will be back on its court against Calivil United.
The Mean Machine played a high-scoring match at Pyramid Hilll last Saturday.
At the final siren the Bulldogs led 53-47.
The Caz Wood and Olivia Hoiles-coached Bridgewater has a chance to move into the top three.
The Mean Machine cannot afford to relax as it will play on Newbridge’s court at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval on May 24.
A Demons’ line-up coached by Cindy Portwine will be determined to bring a high level of heat to the contest against the red and white.
Marong has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 201 per cent, 16 points; Pyramid Hill 112, 16; Newbridge 162, 12; Bridgewater 144, 12; Marong 108, 12; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 103, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 61, 4; Calivil United 62, 0; Inglewood 37, 0.
A-reserve:
Marong 156 per cent, 16 points; Bridgewater 124, 16; Pyramid Hill 115, 14; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 111, 12; Newbridge 126, 10; Mitiamo 109, 6; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 70, 4; Calivil United 85, 2; Inglewood 39, 0.
B-grade:
Bridgewater 163 per cent, 20 points; Newbridge 156, 16; Marong 132, 16; Pyramid Hill 105, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 101, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 83, 4; Mitiamo 74, 4; Calivil United 69, 4; Inglewood 61, 0.
B-reserve:
Bridgewater 137 per cent, 20 points; Pyramid Hill 137, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 152, 12; Marong 120, 8; Inglewood 113, 8; Newbridge 98, 8; Calivil United 96, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 43.7, 0; Mitiamo 43.3, 0.
17-and-under:
Bridgewater 207 per cent, 16 points; Marong 156, 16; Calivil United 147, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 157, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 73, 8; Pyramid Hill 71, 8; Mitiamo 68, 4; Inglewood 59, 4; Newbridge 41, 0.
15-and-under:
Calivil United 341 per cent, 16 points; Marong 153, 16; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 119, 12; Bridgewater 114, 12; Pyramid Hill 112, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 101, 8; Inglewood 70, 8; Newbridge 38, 0; Mitiamo 37, 0.
13-and-under:
Marong 200 per cent, 20 points; Newbridge 471, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 125, 12; Pyramid Hill 78, 12; Calivil United 101, 4; Bridgewater 77, 4; Inglewood 64, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 62, 4; Mitiamo 30, 4.