TEAMS reach the halfway mark of the home-and-away series in Saturday’s ninth round in the Bendigo Banmk Bendigo FNL netball action.
After a breakthrough victory at home last Saturday, Castlemaine makes its way to Queen Elizabeth Oval to play Sandhurst from 2.30pm.
Massive test for the Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine which teamed well in a 57-43 victory against Braodford at The Railway Hotel in Camp Reserve.
As the Magpies swooped to take the points, Sandhurst starred further south in a four-goal win at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won 44-40 in a match between two teams who are likely to be opponents in the finals series.
First of the A-grade matches on Saturday will be at Harley Hammond Reserve in Broadford where the Kangaroos take on Eaglehawk from 2pm.
Although it’s yet to win in its first Bendigo FNL season, Broadford showed a lot of positive signs in their latest hit-out on Castlemaine’s court.
The Jaimie Hooper-coached Broadford faces an opponent desperate to keep momentum rolling.
Eaglehawk had the bye last round following a 23-goal win on its court at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park against Castlemaine.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk is determined to keep the heat on Strathfieldsaye in the race to claim fifth place.
Unbeaten in its pursuit of back-to-back premierships, Kangaroo Flat returns to its court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park to play Strathfieldsaye from 2.30pm.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won last Saturday’s match against South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval by 33 goals.
Massive test for the Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye which is fifth on the ladder.
Storm won last Saturday’s clash with Golden Square at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane by eight goals.
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.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
Huge challenge for the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square against the third-placed Gisborne which is coached by dual premiership-winning coach Tarryn Rymer.
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, 4; Broadford 32, 0.
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; Broadford 44, 4; Castlemaine 41, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 182 per cent, 28 points; Gisborne 203, 24; South Bendigo 159, 24; Strathfieldsaye 126, 16; Sandhurst 112, 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.
