REIGNING premier Kangaroo Flat outpointed Sandhurst in Saturday’s round five clash in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos marked their return to the Queen Elizabeth Oval where they defeated Sandhurst in last September’s grand final.
It was another top contest between two of the league’s powerhouses of recent seasons.
A high-scoring match ended in a 60-50 victory for Kangaroo Flat.
After consecutive defeats, Eaglehawk returned to the winner’s circle after a hard-fought clash with Strathfieldsaye at C & M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
The Hawks won 30-22 against the Jess Mangan-coached Storm.
A difficult run for the Jannelle Hobbs-coached Hawks included a 34-goal loss at home to Kangaroo Flat in round three, and then a six-goal loss to South Bendigo on Anzac Day under the QEO lights.
Castlemaine faced a tough challenge against Gisborne.
The Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine had home-court advantage at The Railway Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve.
It had been a lengthy break for the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne which had not played since a 23-goal win at home against Strathfieldsaye on April 18.
The team in red, white and blue made a strong start against the Magpies and did not let up.
By the final whistle Gisborne led 65-19.
Golden Square had the bye.
Broadford and South Bendigo also had a rest as they played in the stand-alone season launch match on March 28 at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Bloods dominated play on the Kangaroos’ court to win by 62 goals.
In next Saturday’s sixth round it’s an early start for Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square as they will play from 10am at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
South Bendigo and Sandhurst meet on Graeme Wright Memorial Day at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval from 2.30pm.
Strathfieldsaye faces Broadford in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane from 2.30pm.
Gisborne takes on Eaglehawk from 2.30pm at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve
Castlemaine has the bye.
Bendigo FNL netball, round five scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 44 lt Kangaroo Flat 51, Eaglehawk 46 d Strathfieldsaye 45, Castlemaine 35 lt Gisborne 69, Golden Square bye.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 33 lt Kangaroo Flat 43, Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye not supplied, Castlemaine 21 lt Gisborne 80, Golden Square bye.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat not supplied, Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye not supplied, Castlemaine 21 lt Gisborne 80, Golden Square bye.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 48 d Kangaroo Flat 26, Eaglehawk 26 lt Strathfieldsaye 63, Castlemaine 21 lt Gisborne 65, Golden Square bye.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 80 d Kangaroo Flat 14, Eaglehawk 41 d Strathfieldsaye 39, Castlemaine bye, Golden Square bye.
