Calivil United start season with a victory against an improved Marong

CALIVIL United hopes to use a first-up win against Marong as a launching pad to sustained success in 2018.

The Demons opened their 2018 season with a 63-42 win against a spirited and improved Panthers.

It followed a pre-season in which they were rarely able to get all seven of their first-choice players on the court at one time.

“We had a couple of practice matches but Saturday was the first time these seven players had played together this year,” co-coach Karen Pascoe said.

“It was good to see them all together and it should only get better from here.

“We just have to make sure they all see the season out injury-wise and we’ll be very happy.”

The Demons will be further strengthened as early as next week, with Michelle Balic a possible inclusion after missing round one with an ankle injury.

Calivil United benefited from strong performances at both ends of the courts from goal defence and co-coach Teigan Redwood, goal shooter Christie Rogers and goal attack Kellie Brunker.

“(Christie) was outstanding for someone who had not played in a year and half – she looked like she hadn’t skipped a beat,” Pascoe said.

“She’s a magician – fantastic to watch and she’s teaching the players around her things you can’t teach from the sidelines.

“She is a brilliant player to have out there.”

For Marong, goal shooter Maegan Taylor and goal attack Madi Higgins stood up well under pressure.

Touted as a genuine top-three contender, Bridgewater lived up to early expectations with a three-goal win over Mitiamo.

The Mean Machine defeated last year’s runner-up 44-41 on the Superoos’ home courts.

Maiden Gully YCW staked its claim as a contender to the ‘biggest improver’ tag with a 52-18 win against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine in Benita Swatton’s first game at the helm as coach of the Eagles after switching from South Bendigo.

Pyramid Hill’s premiership defence is off to a solid start following a 43-26 win against Newbridge.

In next week’s games, Calivil United hosts Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine clash at Mitchell Park, and Maiden Gully YCW and Marong meet at Marist College.