BEARS Lagoon Serpentine was in front at the right time in a seesawing A Grade battle with Bridgewater in the first round of Loddon Valley netball.
After looking the winners for most of the match, the Bears fell behind in the last quarter as the Mean Machine made a late run.
However, with last year’s rising star Ava Francis in good early-season shooting form, Serp managed to pull ahead for a nail-biting 43-45 win.
Bridgewater ended the Bears’ season in last year’s finals, so there was a measure of revenge in the result.
Serp’s new defensive pairing of Casey Zass and Ash Egbers impressed for the winners.
With the 2024 premiers Mitiamo having a bye, runners-up Pyramid Hill travelled to Newbridge for a match with the team that finished third after the home-and-away season last year.
The Bulldogs opened their account for 2025 with a seven-goal win over the Maroons, who were well served by star recruit Abbi Wells and new captain Hayley Martiniello.
It was a costly loss for Newbridge as first-gamer Cass Henderson dislocated her kneecap and was awaiting scans to see if she had injured ligaments, while defender Jorja Hufer dislocated her shoulder.
It is a recurring problem for Hufer, whose protective strapping came loose before her shoulder popped out.
Pyramid Hill coach Chelsea Emmerson said the match was played at a really high standard, with her team’s early lead proving crucial.
She said Morgan Dingwall impressed in her debut as centre, with Newbridge’s strong mid-court lineup a good early challenge.
Inglewood, which was winless in 2024, has had a turbulent pre-season with coach Abbey Hayes leaving the job a week before the first round, although she has remained with the club as a player.
The Woodies struggled at home against Marong, losing by 27 goals, with the final score 23-50.
In a battle between sides that finished seventh and eighth last year, Maiden Gully made it four wins from four for the away teams, defeating Calivil 49-55.
Mitiamo begins its premiership defence next Saturday against Calivil, while Marong takes on Pyramid Hill, Bears Lagoon Serpentine hosts Inglewood, and Maiden Gully is at home to Bridgewater.