BY NATHAN DOLE
Hawks soar to victory on Castlemaine’s court
EAGLEHAWK moved to the fourth rung on the A-grade netball ladder after Saturday’s win at Castlemaine in round 13 of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk marked win number six in a 58-40 result against the Magpies at Camp Reserve.
A tally of almost 100 goals was a superb effort by the Hawks and the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine.
Top teams Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne put in ruthless performances.
The ladder-leading Kangaroo Flat dominated play on its court at Dower Park against Golden Square.
Coached by Jayden Cowling who was also charge of the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team in its debut Victorian Netball League season, Kangaroo Flat passed the 70-goal mark against the blue and gold.
At the final siren the Roos led 74-26 against the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square.
Further south and it was a relentless performance by Gisborne in all thirds of the court against South Bendigo.
In pursuit of back-to-back premierships, the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne was in hot form.
Gisborne led 11-3 at quarter-time and 21-4 by the long break.
Defensive efforts by the team in red, white and blue were outstanding as the Alicia McGlashan-coached South Bendigo was held a goal in the third quarter and four in the last.
At the final siren Gisborne led 54-9.
It was a rest for Sandhurst in A-grade as it was drawn to play Maryborough at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
A break for the inter-league match on July 6, a bye and then drawn to face the Magpies has meant the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst has not played since its loss at Gisborne on June 29.
The Dragons return to the court next Saturday to play South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval as the clubs mark Graeme Wright Memorial Cup day.
Strathfieldsaye had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 188 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 152, 32; Sandhurst 170, 28; Eaglehawk 89, 24; Strathfieldsaye 93, 20; Golden Square 69, 12; South Bendigo 70, 8; Castlemaine 57, 4.
Fourth takes on first as Eaglehawk hosts Kangaroo Flat in next Saturday’s round 14 clash at Canterbury Park.
South Bendigo and Sandhurst meet on Graeme Wright Memorial Cup day as the Bloods take on the Dragons at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
Strathfieldsaye returns to the court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to play Castlemaine.
Golden Square will be home at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street to face the in-form Gisborne.
Maryborough has the bye across the lower grades.
Round 13 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Castlemaine 46 d Eaglehawk 40, Kangaroo Flat 76 d Golden Square 24, Gisborne 61 d South Bendigo 21, Sandhurst 41 d Maryborough 39, Strathfieldsaye bye.
B-grade:
Castlemaine 45 d Eaglehawk 34, Kangaroo Flat 44 d Golden Square 33, Gisborne 56 d South Bendigo 24, Sandhurst 80 d Maryborough 22, Strathfieldsaye bye.
B-reserve:
Castlemaine 21 lt Eaglehawk 45, Kangaroo Flat 35 d Golden Square 23, Gisborne 45 d South Bendigo 39, Sandhurst 86 d Maryborough 30, Strathfieldsaye bye.
17-and-under:
Castlemaine 45 d Eaglehawk 22, Kangaroo Flat 14 lt Golden Square 79, Gisborne 37 d South Bendigo 24, Sandhurst 55 d Maryborough 26, Strathfieldsaye bye.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 214 per cent, 44 points; Strathfieldsaye 137, 36; Kangaroo Flat 124, 30; Maryborough 97, 30; Sandhurst 122, 28; South Bendigo 75, 16; Castlemaine 72, 12; Eaglehawk 71, 8; Golden Square 63, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 190 per cent, 40 points; Kangaroo Flat 146, 40; Sandhurst 161, 36; Strathfieldsaye 120, 32; Castlemaine 83, 20; South Bendigo 84, 18; Eaglehawk 84, 14; Golden Square 73, 8; Maryborough 41, 0.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 227 per cent, 44 points; Gisborne 185, 36; Strathfieldsaye 134, 36; Kangaroo Flat 124, 28; South Bendigo 116, 24; Eaglehawk 109, 20; Golden Square 71, 12; Castlemaine 56, 8; Maryborough 32, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 239 per cent, 44 points; Golden Square 177, 44; Maryborough 106, 36; Castlemaine 103, 20; Gisborne 98, 20; South Bendigo 91, 20; Strathfieldsaye 96, 16; Eaglehawk 47, 8; Kangaroo Flat 38, 0.