BROADFORD scored its first premiership points in A-grade netball as it drew Saturday’s round 17 clash with Castlemaine in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Kangaroos and Magpies played out a thriller on Broadford’s court at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Scores were locked on 37-all when the final siren sounded.
Kangaroos’ coach Jaimie Hooper and the team were ecstatic to have claimed their first points in the league’s A-grade competition.
At the top of the ladder, Sandhurst and Gisborne swapped rungs.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne moved to second place after a 44-40 victory on Sandhurst’s court at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Bulldogs and Dragons will meet again in the qualifying final on August 29 at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
Reigning premier Kangaroo Flat continued its winning ways against South Bendigo.
It was sibling rivalry on the sidelines as the Kangaroos who are coached by Jayden Cowling took on an opponent coached by his older sister, Lauren Bowles.
On court it was the Kangaroos who dominated play at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park to win by 25 goals.
The Kangaroos were up 82-57 at the final siren.
Strathfieldsaye Storm scored a 17-goal win on Golden Square’s court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm teamed superbly in a 67-50 victory against the blue and gold which is coached by Teigan Redwood.
Eaglehawk had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition after 17 rounds:
Kangaroo Flat 195 per cent, 60 points; Gisborne 180, 48; Sandhurst 167, 48; South Bendigo 120, 36; Eaglehawk 101, 28; Strathfieldsaye 90, 28; Golden Square 92, 16; Castlemaine 45, 6; Broadford 30, 2.
The 18th and final round in the home-and-away series will be played next Saturday.
Eaglehawk faces Broadford from 2pm at C and M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Gisborne and Golden Square clash at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve from 2.30pm.
It’s Storm against the Kangaroos as Strathfieldsaye and Kangaroo Flat play at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane from 2.30pm.
It’s a later start of 3.20pm for the showdown between Castlemaine and Sandhurst at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
South Bendigo has the bye.
Bendigo FNL netball, round 17 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 46 d Gisborne 39, Kangaroo Flat 43 d South Bendigo 42, Golden Square 47 dr Strathfieldsaye 47, Castlemaine bye, Eaglehawk bye.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 33 lt Gisborne 48, Kangaroo Flat 38 d South Bendigo 35, Golden Square 39 lt Strathfieldsaye 58, Broadford 61 d Castlemaine 30, Eaglehawk bye.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 39 lt Gisborne 56, Kangaroo Flat 44 d South Bendigo 27, Golden Square 27 lt Strathfieldsaye 51, Broadford 42 d Castlemaine 39, Eaglehawk bye.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 45 d Gisborne 30, Kangaroo Flat 46 lt South Bendigo 55, Golden Square 40 d Strathfieldsaye 38, Broadford 29 lt Castlemaine 46, Eaglehawk bye.
15-and-under:
Kangaroo Flat 33 lt South Bendigo 59, Golden Square 58 d Strathfieldsaye 36, Sandhurst bye, Castlemaine bye, Eaglehawk bye.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 17 rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 147 per cent, 48 points; Kangaroo Flat 139, 46; Gisborne 135, 32; Sandhurst 117, 32; Eaglehawk 97, 26; Strathfieldsaye 76, 14; Castlemaine 60, 8; Golden Square 65, 6.
B-grade:
Gisborne 216 per cent, 60 points; South Bendigo 132, 48; Strathfieldsaye 126, 48; Kangaroo Flat 128, 42; Sandhurst 112, 28; Golden Square 84, 20; Eaglehawk 86, 14; Broadford 61, 12; Castlemaine 43, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 179 per cent, 56 points; Gisborne 179, 50; South Bendigo 142, 48; Strathfieldsaye 133, 42; Sandhurst 115, 32; Eaglehawk 90, 20; Golden Square 93, 16; Castlemaine 54, 4; Broadford 25, 4.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 183 per cent, 52 points; Golden Square 163, 48; Strathfieldsaye 160, 44; South Bendigo 98, 32; Kangaroo Flat 117, 30; Eaglehawk 96, 30; Gisborne 118, 28; Castlemaine 51, 8; Broadford 27, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 310 per cent, 44 points; Golden Square 193, 40; South Bendigo 101, 32; Eaglehawk 86, 24; Strathfieldsaye 81, 12; Kangaroo Flat 56, 8; Castlemaine 36, 0.
