BRIDGEWATER enhanced its back-to-back credentials with a dominant 68-36 victory over last season's fourth-placed team Maiden Gully YCW on Saturday.
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The Mean Machine, bolstered by the inclusions of star defender Zoe Davies and Olivia Collicoat, came out firing with six unanswered goals on their home court on their way to a 20-9 opening quarter.
Bridgewater was able to increase its lead at every change to run out 32 goal winners and stretch their early season record to 2-0 ahead of a Good Friday clash at Inglewood.
The Mean Machine had strength all over the court, with Davies and Brigette Matthews combining exceptionally in defence, Caz Wood and Anita Dorrington controlling the midcourt, and Carly Scholes, Ellie Wilson and Leah Sartori taking turns in the goal circle to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Reigning league medallist and joint coach Jessey Wilson played only two quarters after coming into the match with a slight injury, but showed no ill-effects with a quality second-half.
Her fellow coach Shellie Davies expressed delight with the Mean Machine's fast start, which followed a tardier effort in the previous weekend's win over Pyramid Hill.
"That was definitely something we needed to work on after last week, but I think the difference this week was our defensive pressure. We spent a lot of time working on that," she said.
"It worked very well .... actually the girls are all just working well as a unit.
"I don't think we allowed them a lot of opportunities, we were very good this week with our turnovers and scoring off those plays.
"I think we had 10 turnovers in the first quarter and scored off all but one of those."
Davies praised the court movement and accurate shooting of youngster Ellie Wilson, who finished the match with 43 goals alongside her name to continue her promising start to the season.
The loss was Maiden Gully YCW's second this season, after an opening round loss to Mitiamo.
Meanwhile, Calivil United bounced back from an opening round defeat against Newbridge to defeat Marong 66-39.
The Panthers were looking for back-to-back wins after an 11-goal win over Inglewood on opening day, but found the Demons a much tougher proposition.
Calivil United netball manager Karen Pascoe said the Demons had entered the game free of any worry from the previous week's loss to Newbridge.
"It was a great game and we went in thinking Newbridge is going to be one of the top five we'll come up against this year with their recruiting, so we weren't too displeased with the loss," she said.
"We'll take it and learn from it for next time.
"It was good to come away with a win against Marong, the girls played well all over the court.
"Our defenders were very good, I don't think they allowed a goal in the third quarter until about half way through it, which had a big impact on the game.
"Our midcourt was impressive too, with Hollie Alford and Jarileey Scholtes playing really well."
The Demons had to make plenty of adjustments, with goaler Kellie Brunker unavailable.
That opened up opportunities for Tia Steen to step up from B-grade and rising star Rylee Gallagher, who is playing 17-and-under netball for Eaglehawk, to make a return appearance, with both girls performing well.
After an even first quarter, Calivil United opened up the contest with a powerful second quarter to build up an impressive lead.
New coach Christie Rogers let her netball do the talking with a game-high 42 goals.
For Marong, Bianca Jones was her team's best with a quality game in centre and wing attack.
Mitiamo scored a second big win in as many weeks with a 65-33 triumph over Pyramid Hill.
At Serpentine, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine opened its season with a 10 goal win over an injury-depleted Inglewood.
The Blues were without five of their A-graders due to injuries, illness and work commitments, but were made to pay for a nervous first quarter, trailing by 11 goals at the first break.
Despite the loss, Blues coach Mandy Grinton-Burrill said was mega-proud of the work ethic within her young group of developing players.
"It was the first quarter that let us down, but in saying that the height at Serpentine was the difference and this is where we will struggle through the season as we are a very short team," she said.
"The final three quarters stabilised with words of advice and brilliant listening skills by the players ensuring the gap did not progress."
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