THERE were thrilling finishes to the A-grade netball at Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye on Good Friday in round one of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Long-time powers of the A-grade competition, Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat clashed at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne took it right up to the reigning premier.
At the final siren the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat led 42-39.
Strathfieldsaye Storm put in a superb effort against South Bendigo at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm took on an opponent which had won the stand-alone match at Broadford the previous Saturday by 62 goals.
The Bloods from South Bendigo were under intense pressure from the first pass until the last from the Storm line-up.
A top contest ended in a 44-42 victory for South Bendigo.
Castlemaine marked its return to A-grade netball by playing Golden Square at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve on Good Friday.
The Vanessa Saunders-coached Magpies worked hard against the blue and gold.
It was a confident showing by the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square which surged to a 71-32 victory.
Details from the Eaglehawk and Sandhurst match played at C & M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park on Easter Saturday were not supplied.
Broadford had the bye.
It was an early start clubs as the 15-and-under competition marked its debut with play from 8.40am.
In next Saturday’s second round, South Bendigo takes on Gisborne at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street from 2.30pm.
Sandhurst plays Broadford at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street.
Eaglehawk and Golden Square will clash at C & M Oval at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
The match was transferred from Golden Square’s Wade Street court.
Kangaroo Flat will face Castlemaine on the Roos’ court in Dower Park.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.
Bendigo FNL netball, round one scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 56 d Kangaroo Flat 51, Strathfieldsaye 32 lt South Bendigo 56, Castlemaine 45 lt Golden Square 49, Eaglehawk v Sandhurst not supplied.
B-grade:
Gisborne 49 d Kangaroo Flat 39, Strathfieldsaye 29 lt South Bendigo 44, Castlemaine 31 lt Golden Square 62, Eaglehawk v Sandhurst not supplied, Broadford bye.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 35 lt Kangaroo Flat 42, Strathfieldsaye 31 lt South Bendigo 45, Castlemaine 32 lt Golden Square 52, Eaglehawk v Sandhurst not supplied, Broadford bye.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 64 d Kangaroo Flat 47, Strathfieldsaye 75 d South Bendigo 22, Castlemaine 26 lt Golden Square 79, Eaglehawk 12 lt Sandhurst 23, Broadford bye.
15-and-under:
Strathfieldsaye 22 lt South Bendigo 43, Castlemaine 22 lt Golden Square 73, Eaglehawk 17 lt Sandhurst 55, Kangaroo Flat bye.
