NEWBRIDGE put an end to Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s feint finals hopes with a thrilling one-goal win in Loddon Valley A Grade netball.
The Maroons scored 12 goals to the Bears’ six in the last quarter to storm home over the top, 40-39 at Serpentine.
It was a statement win for Newbridge after they trailed by nine goals at quarter time, six goals at the main break and five goals at the last change.
The victory saw the Maroons overtake Bridgewater in third place, putting them in the box seat for the double chance in the finals.
Bears’ star shooter Ava Francis had a mighty battle with Maroons’ goal keeper Jorja Hufer all afternoon, while Serp captain Dani O’Toole and Newbridge’s Hayley Martiniello fought out centre court dominance.
Best for the winners were goal attack Abbi Wells and goal defence Leah Oxford.
Newbridge needs to beat fifth-placed Marong in this Saturday’s final round to ensure third spot on the ladder.
The Bears end their season with a trip to Calivil.
MITIAMO maintained its 100 per cent record with a comfortable 29-goal win over Marong. 
The premiership fancies were untroubled in victory, ramming home their superiority with a 39-23 second half.
The Superoos host Bridgewater on Saturday and will then have a week off for finishing on the top of the ladder.
They were in a similar position last season but lost their first final to Pyramid Hill before defeating the Bulldogs in the grand final.
The eventual premiership coach Jen Wilson lamented her side’s perennial struggles after having a week off, so it will be fascinating to see how the next few weeks play out.
INGLEWOOD finished its winless season on a positive note, going down by just four goals to Maiden Gully.
The Woodies were right in the match all day but could never grab the lead.
The Eagles’ 13-7 margin at quarter-time proved the difference between the sides.
Maiden Gully will finish in seventh, with Inglewood on the bottom of the ladder but ending the season with its strongest performance.
Maiden Gully plays Pyramid Hill in the last round, with the Woodies having the bye.
PYRAMID Hill’s 47-goal win over Calivil was a good tune up for the finals, with Maiden Gully to come in the final round.
The Bulldogs will finish second on the ladder after the home and away games, but their first opponent in the finals is still to be decided, with Newbridge and Bridgewater battling out third place.
Pyramid burst out of the blocks in the first quarter to lead the Demons by 13 goals at quarter-time and added to the margin in the subsequent three terms.
The exclamation mark came in the last quarter, with 25 goals to six.
Calivil will finish in second-last place on the ladder, with a dead rubber against Bears Lagoon Serpentine in the final round.