Gisborne defeats Castlemaine in overtime
IT took until overtime for Gisborne to overcome a fierce challenge from Castlemaine in Sunday’s first semi-final in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s A-grade netball competition.
Fans were treated to a high-quality game of netball between the Bulldogs and Magpies at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It was a must-win game for both teams.
Gisborne was on the rebound from a qualifying loss to Sandhurst, while Castlemaine was determined to keep a remarkable return to the league’s top grade rolling by reaching a preliminary final.
The Bulldogs led by a goal at quarter-time, but the Magpies charged to a three-goal lead by the main break.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne responded to the challenge by winning the third term by six goals.
Jointly coached by Gary Cooke and on-court star Fiona Fowler, Castlemaine forced the match into overtime.
It was the goalshooting of Rylee Connell and poise of Jordan Cransberg and Maddy Stewart which played a big part in Gisborne being able to claim a 49-46 victory.
The red, white and blue will now prepare to take on Kangaroo Flat in next Saturday’s preliminary final.
This season’s showdowns between Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat stand at one-all.
In round seven, the Kangaroos won on their court at Dower Park by 12 goals.
Gisborne played one of its best matches of the season to score a 45-40 victory against Kangaroo Flat at Gardiner Reserve in the 16th round.
Castlemaine had not played in A-grade since 2017 and capped its return by winning 12 matches in the home and away series, and the elimination final win against South Bendigo.
In other first semi-finals, Gisborne scored a 47-41 win against South Bendigo in the A-reserve match.
South Bendigo won a thrilling showdown with Gisborne in B-grade. Scores were locked on 43-all at full-time, before the Bloods surged away for a 51-49 victory in extra time
The B-reserve contest ended in 39-36 win for Kangaroo Flat against Eaglehawk.
The joeys from Kangaroo Flat won the 17-and-under match against Maryborough by 14 goals.
Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:
17-and-undeer: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat.
B-grade at 12.40pm: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
A-reserve at 2pm: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
A-grade at 3.20pm: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
Written by Nathan Dole.
