LODDON Valley A Grade netball big guns warmed up for this weekend’s biggest game of the home and away season with commanding performances in round 11 action.
Top-of-the-table Mitiamo and second-placed Pyramid Hill were at their brilliant best in scoring emphatic wins over Calivil United and Marong respectively.
Mitiamo thumped Calivil 82- 54 to improve its record to a perfect 9-0, while Pyramid Hill outclassed fifth-placed Marong 70-45.
It was Pyramid Hill’s performance that sounded an ominous warning to not only Mitiamo ahead of this Saturday’s game, but the rest of the competition. Marong had been competitive in previous encounters with Mitiamo and Pyramid Hill this season, but the Bulldogs took their game to another level on Saturday and the Panthers had no answers.
After being forced to make several changes to their line-up over the past eight weeks because of injuries and unavailability, the Bulldogs were closer to full strength against Marong.
The Bulldogs’ class and depth across the court was on full display and a repeat of that form will put the Superoos’ winning streak in jeopardy.
With Newbridge having the bye in round 11, Bridgewater jumped into third spot on the ladder on the back of an 83-35 thumping of Maiden Gully.
It was arguably the Mean Machine’s most complete performance of the season.
The next step in Bridgewater’s development is finding a way to topple Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill or Newbridge, or all three.
If the Mean Machine can make a breakthrough of that nature, then they will be well-placed to grab the double-chance for the finals.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine kept its finals hopes alive with a 61-35 win over bottom side Inglewood. After four-straight defeats the Bears needed to regain their mojo if they were to stay in touch with fifth-placed Marong and they did that with a solid four-quarter performance.
The 26-goal win lifted the Bears to within one win and 13.53 per cent of Marong.
The Bears have the bye this weekend, while the Panthers face a potential danger game against the young Calivil United outfit.
The season-defining game for both clubs comes in round 14 when the Bears host the Panthers.