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MAIDEN Gully YCW has made an explosive start to the LVFNL A-grade netball season with a slick 42-29 win over Inglewood.
The Eagles were pushed all the way by an improved Inglewood, which had the better of the contest in the second quarter to trail by only a few goals at half time.
But with Leisa Barry moved to centre, Maiden Gully YCW steadied and produced some exciting netball in the second half to run out winners by 13 goals.
It was just the start to the season Eagles coach Christie Griffiths had hoped for.
"We didn't have the best second quarter, so we made a few changes that made a huge difference," she said.
"There was only three or four goals in it at half time, so it was a good finish to the game."
The Eagles were well served by young goal shooter Sidney Niemann and goal attack Stephanie Donnellon, while Griffiths was encouraged by the efforts of newcomers Lauren Vanderleest and Shaeden Riding.
"I was really happy with how Lauren went, wing defence is a new position for her," she said.
"She did extremely well and took the wing attack out of the game.
"Shaeden started in the centre and went out to wing attack and she drove beautifully and opened up the attack end."
With a few new faces in the line-up including former St Arnaud pair Taylor Forster and Paige Torney, Chelsea Hicks (Calivil United), and Charlotte Edlin from last season's 17-and-under premiership team, Griffiths was confident of an improved season from Inglewood.
It was a successful transitioning from YCW to Maiden Gully YCW, with the Eagles getting wins over the Blues in all six grades.
Meanwhile, last season's runners-up Mitiamo showed it would be a force again with a convincing 54-25 win over Calivil United.
The match at Calivil Recreation Reserve was a repeat of last year's preliminary final, won by the Superoos by 20 goals.
Saturday's margin was nine goals greater indicating the Superoos will again be a tough proposition for rivals.
Reigning premiers Newbridge survived a fright from an improved Pyramid Hill to win 55-50 at Riverside Park.
The Maroons were without their grand final star Amy Jackman and Bec Green and faced a determined challenge from the Bulldogs, who kept chipping away at their opponents early lead.
Newbridge benefited from strong performances in goals from Jane King and Tara Henkel and Meg Jennings and Gemma Steel in defence.
New coach Kristy Shay was also pleased with the performances of first-gamer Danielle Wiegard in the midcourt and club newcomer Lauren Knight.
"Pyramid Hill didn't miss much, if they got the ball in the ring they scored cleanly with their beautiful shooters," she said.
"There wasn't a lot for us to rebound.
"They were really clean with the ball and made us work really hard for it, which was a good way to get the season underway.
"The scores did get to even at one stage, but we held on in the last bit."
At Bridgewater, Meg Allen got her coaching career off to a successful start as the Mean Machine defeated Bears Lagoon Serpentine 56-39.