MITIAMO and Bridgewater have underlined their premiership credentials, going toe-to-toe in an epic LVFNL encounter at Mitiamo, only two weeks out from a much-anticipated final series. or signup to continue reading While it was never in serious doubt, the Superoos cemented top spot on the ladder ahead of the finals with a thrilling 45-43 victory. But it was the performance of the Mean Machine, which has fuelled hopes of a wide-open flag race, by pushing the minor premiers to the limit.
Trailing by eight goals at half-time, Bridgewater was able to outscore the Superoos in each of the last two quarters, to pull within two goals by game's end. Credit was also due the Superoos, who held their nerve as the Mean Machine surged in the second half. They were never headed despite the charge.
Coming on top of last week's three-goal thriller between Pyramid Hill and Newbridge - won by the Bulldogs - another tight result has set the scene for the most intriguing finals series in years. But while the Superoos will have the luxury of a break in the first week of finals, Saturday's loss has thrust Bridgewater into an elimination final showdown against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine. The Mean Machine's double-chance hopes evaporated after Newbridge took care of Calivil United at Calivil on Saturday.
While a two-goal loss was disappointing in that perspective, the positives far outweighed the negatives for Mean Machine co-coach Caz Wood. "I am really proud of the girls ..
. we had our chances," she sa.