KANGAROO Flat’s unbeaten run will be strongly challenged by Gisborne in this Saturday’s 10th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Kangaroos and Bulldogs renew their great rivalry at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park from 2.30pm.
When these teams met in the season opener on Good Friday it was Kangaroo Flat which claimed a 42-39 victory at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos have gone on to dominate most matches in an unbeaten streak of nine matches.
Latest hit-out for the Flat ended in a 71-40 victory against Strathfieldsaye on the Kangaroos’ court.
A strong squad in green and white includes Ruby Barkmeyer who was best on court in last September’s grand final win against Sandhurst and starred for the Bendigo FNL in this season’s inter-league clash with Ovens and Murray at the QEO.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne surged to a 58-36 win on Golden Square’s court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street last Saturday.
The team in red, white and blue is capable of turning up the pressure and will have to do so upset the reigning premier.
It’s an early start to the A-grade match between South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The Bloods and Storm will be on the Neale Street court from 10am.
As South Bendigo had the bye last round the Jess Mangan-coached Storm was up against the powerful Kangaroo Flat line-up.
The Good Friday match between the Storm and Bloods ended in a 42-39 win for the Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Fourth and fifth in the premiership race, South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye are separated by four points.
Sandhurst will be back on its court at Queen Elizabeth Oval for Saturday’s showdown with Eaglehawk.
The Dragons and Hawks match will start at 2.30pm.
On Good Friday the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won on Eaglehawk’s court at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park by 21 goals.
The second-placed Dragons will start favourite to take the points.
Eaglehawk stayed in touch with the top five by scoring a 60-11 win on Broadford’s court at Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Two Blues will aim for a significant lift in pressure against the Dragons.
Golden Square takes on Castlemaine from 3.20pm at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
Golden Square was outplayed by Gisborne last round as Castlemaine faced Sandhurst the QEO.
When the Bulldogs and Magpies met on Good Friday the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square controlled a lot of the play to record a 71-32 victory.
A Castlemaine team coached by Vanessa Saunders beat Broadford a fortnight ago and starts this round a win behind Golden Square.
Broadford has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 205 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 159, 28; Gisborne 177, 24; South Bendigo 121, 20; Strathfieldsaye 101, 16; Eaglehawk 104, 12; Golden Square 86, 8; Castlemaine 46, 4; Broadford 30, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after nine rounds:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 161 per cent, 24 points; South Bendigo 131, 24; Gisborne 144, 20; Sandhurst 120, 20; Eaglehawk 90, 12; Strathfieldsaye 69, 8; Golden Square 62, 4; Castlemaine 64, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 215 per cent, 32 points; South Bendigo 158, 28; Strathfieldsaye 120, 24; Kangaroo Flat 139, 20; Sandhurst 115, 16; Golden Square 87, 12; Broadford 51, 8; Eaglehawk 80, 4; Castlemaine 42, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 174 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 198, 28; South Bendigo 159, 24; Sandhurst 124, 20; Strathfieldsaye 119, 16; Eaglehawk 95, 12; Golden Square 89, 8; Castlemaine 45, 4; Broadford 27, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 184 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 188, 24; Strathfieldsaye 186, 24; Gisborne 126, 18; Eaglehawk 99, 18; Kangaroo Flat 108, 16; South Bendigo 87, 12; Castlemaine 43, 4; Broadford 25, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 393 per cent, 24 points; Golden Square 185, 20; South Bendigo 92, 16; Eaglehawk 90, 12; Strathfieldsaye 80, 8; Kangaroo Flat 53, 4; Castlemaine 40, 0.
