PENSHURST will be looking to shake free of the logjam on the Mininera and District Netball Association (MDNA) premiership ladder when it travels to Woorndoo Recreation Reserve today to battle Woorndoo-Mortlake who are equal on points with the Bombers.

These two teams also share the same points as Hawkesdale-Macarthur, with the Tigers above the other two on percentage, but the winner will break free of the other two as other results are expected to favour the victor.

Both teams come into the game after enjoying the break for the King’s Birthday last weekend, but in round eight each team had very different victories.

Woorndoo-Mortlake thrashed Great Western by 50 goals whereas Penshurst had a very tight tussle with Hawkesdale-Macarthur in claiming the points by only four goals.

The Tigers also held a training drill against Moyston-Willaura in round seven with a 76-goal victory, but the side hasn’t been tested since round six when it lost to Tatyoon by 10 goals.

The Bombers haven’t dropped a game since way back in round four and the close win against the Eagles will be seen as good preparation for this game.

The old saying that a good attack is based on a better defence is never truer for these two teams and turnover ball will be crucial for each team, as whichever side can capitalise on the mistakes of the opposition should enjoy victory.

Other Games

HAWKESDALE-Macarthur has the toughest task of the round with its game against second-placed Lismore-Derrinallum at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve this afternoon.

The Demons have swept all before them in the first half of the season except for the shock one-goal loss to Ararat in round five, while the Eagles have lost to Tatyoon and Penshurst to sit four rungs lower on the ladder than their visitors.

Having spent the first eight rounds playing at Macarthur Recreation Reserve the home side will have to adapt quickly to its new surroundings and a victory will boost the Eagles well up the ladder.

GLENTHOMPSON-Dunkeld is on the road to Moyston Recreation Reserve as it tackles Moyston-Willaura seeking to register a second successive victory.

The Rams took care of SMW Rovers in round eight to register their maiden win of the season and no doubt the team will be confident of a similar outcome against the Pumas.

The home side is yet to taste victory on court this season with its only premiership points coming from the bye round and the team hasn’t played since round seven after forfeiting round eight.

TATYOON will continue to be undefeated when it hosts Great Western at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve, as the Lions would require a steward’s enquiry if they turned around the form that saw them beaten by 50 goals in round eight.

CARAMUT hosts Ararat at Caramut Recreation Reserve in a game that will be much closer than the respective ladder positions of each team suggest.

Ararat sits equal second on points with Lismore-Derrinallum but occupy third on percentage, while the Swans sit seventh.

The home side is three wins from the top five, but an upset may occur if the team has the belief, they can ground the high flying Eagles.