Sport
9 May, 2026
Maroons on top in Riverside see-saw battle
NEWBRIDGE came from behind for a thrilling three-goal win over a brave Calivil team in Loddon Valley A Grade netball last Saturday.
NEWBRIDGE came from behind for a thrilling three-goal win over a brave Calivil team in Loddon Valley A Grade netball last Saturday.
There were never more than three goals separating the teams throughout the contest at Riverside Park.
The Maroons led by three goals at the first change and two at half-time before the Demons surged to take a one-point lead into the final quarter.
A see-sawing battle ended 49-46 in the sort of game that could have gone either way.
Calivil coach Annie Blow was outstanding at centre, and first-gamer Layla Pearce put the clamps on Newbridge star goal attack Abbie Wells, keeping her to just three goals after quarter-time.
Best for the Maroons were goal defence Leah Oxford and wing attack Sarah McClusky.
Blow said the last term “felt like the longest quarter” with the lead swapping back and forth.
While the final result was deflating, she said, “I’m very proud of the girls and how well they played – they’re constantly improving.”
The two teams are battling for the lower rungs of the top five, with only percentage separating Calivil in seventh spot and fourth-placed Bridgewater.
WHO CAN challenge Mitiamo’s dominance in A Grade netball? The Superoos had a comfortable 72-33 win over Maiden Gully last Saturday but face a top of the table clash with Inglewood this coming Saturday.
Goal shooter Carly Scholes was best for Miti in the victory against the Eagles, which came on the back of a storming first quarter and a 21-5 lead.
“They’re just clicking and playing really well together at the moment,” coach Jen Wilson said.
She praised a team effort but also singled out speedy wing attack Alicia Hay’s performance.
Eagles coach Christie Griffiths said the Superoos were made to work hard for their win after a poor first quarter from her side.
She said Mitiamo’s pinpoint goal shooting was the difference between the sides.
BRIDGEWATER handed Bears Lagoon Serpentine a pasting with a 50-goal win which saw the Bears score only 19 goals.
Coach Lou Dupuy said her team’s defence was outstanding, led by Piper Normoyle at wing defence. Young goal shooter Natalie Flood was pivotal in the win with her accuracy under the ring.
“They played really well as a unit right off the centre pass, which is what we have been working on,” Dupuy said.
PYRAMID Hill suffered their second loss for the season, going down to Marong by four goals in a tight tussle at Malone Park. There was little in the contest all afternoon, with the Panthers’ 15-11 last quarter seeing them home.
The Bulldogs were missing key players in goal shooter Trinity Keath and goal defence Julia Castaing. According to coach Chelsea Emmerson the Bulldogs “just ran out of puff” with a number of players forced to double up in A Reserve as well.
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Shrugging off determined opponents
WEDDERBURN was made to work hard for its win over Birchip Watchem in round three of North Central A Grade netball.
The Redbacks, unbeaten since 2024, led by only four goals at three-quarter time against a determined Bulls outfit.
They pulled away in the last quarter for a 56-44 win, but Birchip Watchem’s performance showed that the league is more competitive this season.
Wing defence Olivia Lockhart and goal keeper Alice Hubbard were the Redbacks’ best along with last season’s league best and fairest winner Kelsey Pallpratt in centre, highlighting how crucial the defensive side of the game was in the win.
The loss was the Bulls’ first for the year, but they remain in fourth spot on the ladder.
In a shock result, Birchip Watchem won the B Grade clash, beating a Redbacks side that went through the year undefeated in 2025 by nine goals.
The Bulls led throughout in their first win for the year, upending all the form lines.
BOORT moved to third on the ladder with a solid win against Calder United.
The Magpies scored 24 goals to 12 after half-time to set up their second victory for the season, with coach Carly Isaac back in her familiar centre role after her dramatic collapse a week earlier running in the Ballarat Marathon. Goaler Ella Mirtschin and mid-courter Macie Mortlock were best for the Lions.
Read More: Wedderburn, Newbridge, Calivil, Bridgewater, Pyramid Hill