REIGNING premiers Mitiamo did what was expected in round five of the Loddon Valley netball league in coming home from Inglewood with a big win.
Top of the ladder versus last always seemed a potential thrashing for the Woodies, but they persevered bravely all afternoon, eventually losing 30-71.
The Superoos increased their lead at every change, but the result was not the utterly one-sided contest most predicted.
Indeed, it was Inglewood’s highest score for the year, and indicative of the team’s improvement over the course of the season.
Mitiamo coach Abbey Battersby was bemused by her team’s performance, describing it as “one of those days”.
She said the glare and the warm temperatures made it tough on the players, especially goal shooter Sarah Bateman, who had already played a full game in A Reserve. “Our combination changed, and everything felt a bit different,” Battersby said.
While acknowledging that her team may not have been totally switched on facing the league’s lowest-ranked team, she was full of praise for Inglewood’s performance.
Wing attack Lily Wynne and wing defence Teresa Fitzpatrick were best for the Woodies, who play Pyramid Hill this week, while Mitiamo faces a test against third-placed Newbridge.
Pyramid Hill came out on top in the clash with Bridgewater, getting home by six goals in a tight contest.
The A Grade match was brought forward by an hour to allow the hosts to get organised for the Ladies Day fundraiser for breast cancer research.
The Bulldogs were quicker out of the blocks than the Mean Machine, and a seven-goal lead at quarter-time proved match winning. The result saw Pyramid Hill climb to second on the ladder behind unbeaten Mitiamo, while Bridgewater’s second loss for the year left them in fourth spot, sandwiched between Newbridge and Marong.
Newbridge continued its good form with a 27-goal win over Calivil, putting the Demons to the sword in the last quarter with an 18-3 final term.
Kym Childs, Leah Oxford and star centre Hayley Martiniello were best for the Maroons.
Marong shaded Bears Lagoon Serpentine 55-47 in a hard-fought contest at Malone Park.
Scores were level at quarter-time and Marong grabbed a two-point lead at the main break.
The Bears trimmed the margin to just a goal at three-quarter time, but the Panthers were able to win the last quarter 15 goals to eight to seal the win. Marong is fifth with three wins from five matches, with Serp a spot below.