ROUND 7 NETBALL REVIEW
BY NATHAN DOLE
Dragons, Gisborne net premiership points
SANDHURST and Gisborne claimed the four premiership points in Saturday’s seventh round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst made its way to Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park to take on the Two Blues.
The Dragons took the momentum from a 16-goal win against reigning premier, Gisborne in the previous round into the match in the Borough.
An Eaglehawk team coached by multiple premiership-winning coach Jannelle Hobbs worked hard all match against the maroon and blue.
Sandhurst’s slick passing through all thirds of the court and its strong attack proved key factors in a 50-33 victory against the Two Blues.
Stung by a big loss to Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval in round six, Gisborne was back on its court in Gardiner Reserve to play Golden Square.
It was a match the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne could not afford to cruise through as Golden Square had upset South Bendigo the previous round.
The clash of the league’s two breed of Bulldogs went Gisborne’s way, 52-33.
Sibling rivalry was on show as South Bendigo faced Kangaroo Flat at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The South Bendigo team coached by Lauren Bowles, nee Cowling, was up against a Kangaroo Flat team which is coached by Lauren’s younger brother, Jayden Cowling.
Details from the Bloods and Kangaroos match were not provided.
It was a bye for Strathfieldsaye in A-grade, but Storm fronted Castlemaine in all other grades at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition, pending update from South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat:
Kangaroo Flat 259 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 166, 20; Gisborne 106, 16; Eaglehawk 77, 10; South Bendigo 81, 6; Golden Square 63, 4; Strathfieldsaye 59, 4.
There will be no play across the Bendigo FNL on King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
Round eight will be played on June 14, with A-grade netball to start at 2.30pm.
Strathfieldsaye faces South Bendigo in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Gisborne takes on Kangaroo Flat at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in the rematch of the ’24 grand finalists.
Eaglehawk will be home at Canterbury Park to play Golden Square.
It’s a bye for Sandhurst in A-grade, but the Dragons will play Castlemaine in all other netball grades at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Round seven scoreboard:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat not supplied, Eaglehawk 39 lt Sandhurst 47, Gisborne 49 d Golden Square 29, Strathfieldsaye 60 d Castlemaine 50.
B-grade:
South Bendigo 10 lt Kangaroo Flat 16, Eaglehawk 37 lt Sandhurst 60, Gisborne 70 d Golden Square 23, Strathfieldsaye 76 d Castlemaine 29.
B-reserve:
South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat not supplied, Eaglehawk 28 lt Sandhurst 54, Gisborne 50 d Golden Square 27, Strathfieldsaye 77 d Castlemaine 22.
17-and-under:
South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat not supplied, Eaglehawk 23 lt Sandhurst 53, Gisborne 26 lt Golden Square 39, Strathfieldsaye 55 d Castlemaine 40.
League ladders after seven rounds:
A-reserve, pending update South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat:
Gisborne 160 per cent, 26 points; Sandhurst 147, 22; Kangaroo Flat 146, 20; Strathfieldsaye 98, 16; South Bendigo 109, 12; Eaglehawk 77, 8; Castlemaine 62, 4; Golden Square 61, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 234 per cent, 28 points; South Bendigo 122.7, 20; Kangaroo Flat 122.5, 20; Sandhurst 121, 16; Strathfieldsaye 109, 12; Eaglehawk 73, 8; Golden Square 71, 4; Castlemaine 43, 0.
B-reserve, pending update South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat:
Gisborne 208 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 162, 24; Strathfieldsaye 135, 20; Kangaroo Flat 158, 12; South Bendigo 118, 12; Eaglehawk 68, 8; Golden Square 82, 4; Castlemaine 18, 0.
17-and-under, pending update South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat:
Sandhurst 197 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 223, 24; Strathfieldsaye 170, 20; Gisborne 115, 16; Castlemaine 66, 8; Eaglehawk 62, 6; Kangaroo Flat 61, 6; South Bendigo 30, 0.
