EAGLEHAWK and Strathfieldsaye face tough hit-outs in this Saturday’s 12th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Teams are back on court after last weekend’s general bye for the league.
The Hawks make their way to Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park to take on the reigning premier.
Strathfieldsaye hosts Gisborne at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Both matches will start at 2.30pm.
Sixth and fifth in the premiership race, Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye are locked on 16 points.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk showed plenty of determination to score a one-goal win on their court at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park in the 11th round.
As the Hawks marked a crucial win Strathfieldsaye had the bye.
Now the Two Blues confront a Kangaroo Flat line-up which is unbeaten.
Back in round three the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won 70-36 in the Borough.
The premiership favourites scored 105 goals in their latest win at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Refreshed by an extended break, Strathfieldsaye faces the third-placed Gisborne.
It’s a massive test for the Jess Mangan-coached Storm which was beaten at Gisborne’s home at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve in round three by 23 goals.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne scored a 10-goal victory at home against South Bendigo leading into the bye.
South Bendigo is back on its court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street to play Castlemaine from 2.30pm.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Bloods won at Castlemaine in round three by 50 goals.
A Magpies’ line-up coached by Vanessa Saunders has faced Sandhurst, away; Golden Square, away; and Kangaroo Flat, home, the past three rounds.
First of Saturday’s matches for A-grade will be at 10am when Golden Square plays Broadford at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
The Teigan Redwood-coached Bulldogs roll into this game following a one-goal loss in Eaglehawk’s nest.
Back in round three Golden Square poured in 72 goals at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Jaimie Hooper-coached Broadford has learnt a lot in the club’s first season in Bendigo FNL action.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 207 per cent, 40 points; Sandhurst 185, 36; Gisborne 157, 28; South Bendigo 119, 24; Strathfieldsaye 97, 16; Eaglehawk 95, 16; Golden Square 95, 12; Castlemaine 43, 4; Broadford 28, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 11 rounds:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 154 per cent, 32 points; South Bendigo 129, 32; Sandhurst 120, 24; Gisborne 130, 20; Eaglehawk 95, 16; Strathfieldsaye 69, 8; Castlemaine 67, 4; Golden Square 64, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 208 per cent, 40 points; South Bendigo 128, 28; Strathfieldsaye 120, 28; Kangaroo Flat 130, 24; Sandhurst 123, 24; Golden Square 92, 16; Eaglehawk 82, 8; Broadford 52, 8; Castlemaine 45, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 161 per cent, 36 points; Gisborne 170, 34; Sandhurst 145, 28; South Bendigo 143, 28; Strathfieldsaye 116, 18; Eaglehawk 94, 16; Golden Square 92, 12; Castlemaine 50, 4; Broadford 25, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 185 per cent, 36 points; Sandhurst 210, 32; Strathfieldsaye 173, 28; Kangaroo Flat 115, 22; Gisborne 118, 20; Eaglehawk 86, 18; South Bendigo 88, 16; Castlemaine 46, 4; Broadford 24, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 383 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 232, 28; South Bendigo 97, 20; Eaglehawk 69, 12; Strathfieldsaye 79, 8; Kangaroo Flat 64, 8; Castlemaine 35, 0.
