PYRAMID Hill has held off Newbridge by two goals in one of the best games of the Loddon Valley A Grade netball season.
The Bulldogs won a thriller 42-40 to consolidate second place on the ladder and maintain the pressure on Mitiamo in the race for the minor premiership.
Adding merit to Pyramid Hill’s win was the absence of their star goal shooter Jess Holdstock.
The Maroons took advantage of Holdstock’s unavailability by jumping Pyramid Hill in the first quarter.
Led by Holdstock’s replacement in goals, Katie Pollock, and sisters Morgan and Abbey Dingwall, the Bulldogs found their feet and reeled in the Maroons by half-time.
They extended their lead to as many as seven goals and looked set to win comfortably.
However, Newbridge showed great resilience in the final term to get within two goals of the Bulldogs in a tight finish.
“We had some turnovers in the final quarter and their defence was quite tight,’’ Pyramid Hill coach Chelsea Emmerson said.
“We found a different way to win which speaks to the calibre of the playing group.
“I’ve asked a lot of them this year in terms of versatility because we’ve had injuries since round one and we’ve had to move players around.
“Everyone is playing their role and doing a good job. It was great to hang on and win like that.”
While disappointed to lose the game, the third-placed Maroons certainly didn’t lose any admirers.
With narrow four-goal and two-goal defeats to Mitiamo and Pyramid Hill respectively this season, Newbridge will be a genuine premiership threat come late August and early September.
 The other close game in round 10 action came at Marist College where the home side Maiden Gully denied Calivil United a second-straight victory. The Eagles won a hard-fought battle 45-42 to improve their season record to 3-6.
They sit in seventh place – two wins behind fifth-placed Marong.
Bridgewater snapped a two-game losing streak with a comfortable win over Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
A great defensive performance in the first-half set up the Mean Machine’s impressive 65-41 win.
The four points consolidated fourth place on the ladder for Bridgewater, while the Bears have now lost four games in a row.
The Bears face a tough battle to force their way back into the top five.
In the final game of round 10, fifth-placed Marong outclassed the young Inglewood outfit, 75-26.
The highlight of round 11 action is at Pyramid Hill where the Bulldogs will test Marong’s finals credentials. 
- ADAM BOURKE