SANDHURST scored a hard-fought victory on Gisborne’s court in Saturday’s eighth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Dragons marked a successful trek to Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve for another showdown with a fierce rival.
A Sandhurst line-up coached by Tamara Gilchrist scored a 44-40 victory and in the process moved to the second rung on the ladder.
Defeat broke a five-match winning streak for the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne.
The team in red, white and blue holds third place in the premiership race.
Castlemaine celebrated its first victory of the season.
It was to the Magpies who Broadford’s Kangaroos who would claim their first points of the season when they clashed at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
The Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine soared to a 57-43 victory.
Although disappointed with the final margin there were many positives in the play of the Jaimie Hooper-coached Broadford line-up.
Reigning premier Kangaroo Flat returned to the court after a lengthy break.
The Roos had not played since May 16 when it scored a 38-goal win on their court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park against Golden Square.
Sibling rivalry played out again as Roos’ coach Jayden Cowling was up against older sister Lauren Bowles who is coaching South Bendigo.
The Roos dominated play on the Bloods’ court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to record an 81-48 victory.
Strathfieldsaye strengthen its position in the top five as it defeated Golden Square by eight goals.
The Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye was on its court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane for a crucial test from the blue and gold.
Storm surged to a 55-47 win against the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square.
Eaglehawk had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 210 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 155, 24; Gisborne 180, 20; South Bendigo 121, 20; Strathfieldsaye 112, 16; Eaglehawk 90.9, 8; Golden Square 89, Castlemaine 45, 0; Broadford 32, 0.
The league reaches the halfway mark of the home-and-away series when round nine is played next Saturday.
Broadford’s back on its court at Harley Hammond Reserve to play Eaglehawk from 2pm.
Sandhurst and Castlemiane clash at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.30pm.
Kangaroo Flat faces Strathfieldsaye on the Kangaroos’ court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park from 2.30pm.
It’s a later start of 3.20pm for Golden Square and Gisborne as they take to the court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
Bendigo FNL netball, round eight scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 42 lt Sandhurst 46, South Bendigo 40 lt Kangaroo Flat 60, Strathfieldsaye 47 d Golden Square 40, Castlemaine bye, Eaglehawk bye.
B-grade:
Gisborne 65 d Sandhurst 42, South Bendigo 49 d Kangaroo Flat 33, Castlemaine 43 lt Broadford 62, Strathfieldsaye 54 d Golden Square 38, Eaglehawk bye.
B-reserve:
Gisborne v Sandhurst not supplied, South Bendigo 37 lt Kangaroo Flat 41, Castlemaine 44 d Broadford 24, Strathfieldsaye 42 d Golden Square 29, Eaglehawk bye.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 33 d Sandhurst 24, South Bendigo 49 lt Kangaroo Flat 54, Castlemaine 56 d Broadford 35, Strathfieldsaye 54 d Golden Square 45, Eaglehawk bye.
15-and-under:
South Bendigo 42 d Kangaroo Flat 33, Strathfieldsaye 26 lt Golden Square 43, Sandhurst bye, Castlemaine bye, Eaglehawk bye.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after eight rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 131, 24; Kangaroo Flat 157, 20; Gisborne 132, 16; Sandhurst 112, 16; Eaglehawk 90, 12; Strathfieldsaye 73, 8; Golden Square 67, 4; Castlemaine 65, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 195 per cent, 28 points; South Bendigo 158, 28; Kangaroo Flat 152, 20; Strathfieldsaye 118, 20; Sandhurst 109, 12; Golden Square 103, 12; Eaglehawk 81, 4; Castlemaine 44, 4; Broadford 41, 0.
B-reserve, pending Gisborne v Sandhurst result:
Kangaroo Flat 182 per cent, 28 points; South Bendigo 159, 24; Gisborne 205, 20; Sandhurst 130, 16; Strathfieldsaye 126, 16; Golden Square 93, 8; Eaglehawk 84, 8; Castlemaine 47, 4; Broadford 24, 0.
17-and-under:
Strathfieldsaye 212 per cent, 24 points; Golden Square 188, 24; Sandhurst 164, 20; Gisborne 143, 18; Eaglehawk 87, 14; Kangaroo Flat 107, 12; South Bendigo 87, 12; Castlemaine 46, 4; Broadford 24, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 337 per cent, 20 points; Golden Square 185, 20; South Bendigo 92, 16; Eaglehawk 90, 12; Strathfieldsaye 73, 4; Kangaroo Flat 51, 4; Castlemaine 50, 0.
