MITIAMO had an almighty shock against unfancied Bridgewater, but the Superoos scraped through by two goals to Loddon Valley’s A Grade netball grand final and another meeting with Pyramid Hill.
Unbeaten just two weeks ago, Miti’s hopes of defending its premiership were on the line as Bridgey surged in the third quarter of their clash at Calivil.
The Superoos led 15-9 at quarter time and by six goals at the main break, but Bridgewater’s14 goals to nine in the third quarter turned the contest on its head.
With a huge contingent of fans roaring them on – including many senior and reserves footballers preparing for next Saturday’s grand final – Bridgey drew level with the Superoos just before the final change.
Mitiamo players were being pressured into making unfamiliar errors as Bridgewater’s confidence grew after trailing by six goals at half-time.
It was goal for goal in the last quarter, but Miti steadied when it had to, sealing a pulsating two-goal win with a 12-11 final term.
Superoos coach Abbey Battersby admitted that “the last few minutes were a bit stressful.
“I think we had moments where we let the other side come back into the game.
“But credit to Bridgewater, they came back really hard.”
Bridgewater coach Caz Wood believed her side would have won if not for a few basic errors.
“I’m still crying,” she said, having decided to hand over the coaching role next season and to move down to a lower grade as a player.
“It’s heartbreaking because it was my last chance to get that A Grade flag, but I’m so proud of our never-say-die attitude.
“And I take my hat off to Mitiamo, they’ve come through a hard couple of weeks.”
Wood said Bridgey goaler Lou Dupuy’s effort in returning after six weeks on the sidelines with a fractured hand and just one training session was extraordinary.
Her return allowed Carly Wild to return to her preferred goal defence role.
For the  second year in a row, Calivil’s three junior netball teams have made it through to Loddon Valley grand finals.
It’s a remarkable result for the club and bodes well for the Demons’ future prospects in senior grades.
The 13-and-under and 17-and-under teams had to reach the grand finals the hard way, both defeating Maiden Gully sides in preliminary finals last Saturday which were played on their home cvourt..
The youngest girls finished third on the ladder but have made it through to the decider after a 26-20 win over the Eagles.
The Kellie Anset-coached under-13s have a big task against unbeaten Newbridge on Saturday.
The under-17s, coached by Brianna Richardson, finished on top of the ladder and reached the grand final against Bridgewater with a 52-43 victory over Maiden Gully.
The under-15s won their second semi-final against Marong last week, 52-32, and go into the decider unbeaten for the year.
Coached by Karen Pascoe, they meet the Panthers again in the grand final.
- GARY WALSH