BY NATHAN DOLE
GISBORNE overcame a three-goal deficit at the start of the final term to clinch a one-goal victory against Castlemaine in Saturday’s 11th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
It was another classic contest between Gisborne and Castlemaine at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
Castlemaine made a great start to lead 10-8 at quarter-time and 21-17 by the main break.
Although the margin was cut by a goal in a low-scoring third term, the Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine led 27-24 going into the final quarter.
In the last it was the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne which was able to score five goals in the difficult conditions as the Magpies added just one.
At the final whistle Gisborne led 29-28.
Kangaroo Flat was too strong for South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos marked the trek across to the Bloods’ home in Neale Street to win 61-41.
Defeat pushed the Jannelle Hobbs-coached South Bendigo from the top five.
Strathfieldsaye has climbed to the fifth rung following a 75-27 win on Golden Square’s court at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Strathfieldsaye led 21-7 by quarter-time and 41-17 at the main.
Storm went on to win the next two quarters, 17-7 and 17-3 to record a 48-goal victory against the Benita Swatton-coached blue and gold.
Sandhurst’s unbeaten run kept rolling.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won every quarter on its way to a 92-38 result against Kyneton at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
A red-hot Dragons line-up led 22-11 at quarter-time and it was the same scoreline in the second.
Sandhurst won the third, 24-6, and the last, 24-10, to complete another emphatic victory against the Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers.
Eaglehawk brought up its third win of the season.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk teamed superbly on Maryborough’s court at Princes Park to win 59-28.
Eaglehawk led 15-6 at quarter-time and 28-15 by the main break.
A great run by the Borough kept rolling as it won the third term, 16-6, and the last, 15-7, against the Jordan Macilwain coached-Maryborough.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 207 per cent, 44 points; Gisborne 176, 36; Kangaroo Flat 161, 32; Castlemaine 129, 30; Strathfieldsaye 101, 22; South Bendigo 104, 18; Kyneton 92, 18; Eaglehawk 76, 12; Maryborough 58, 8; Golden Square 36, 0.
Round 11 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 37 d Castlemaine 29, South Bendigo 40 d Kangaroo Flat 36, Golden Square 20 lt Strathfieldsaye 57, Sandhurst 59 d Kyneton 26, Eaglehawk bye.
B-grade:
Gisborne 75 d Castlemaine 18, South Bendigo 36 lt Kangaroo Flat 44, Golden Square 34 d Strathfieldsaye 28, Sandhurst 70 d Kyneton 27, Maryborough 11 lt Eaglehawk 39.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 53 d Castlemaine 15, South Bendigo 42 lt Kangaroo Flat 53, Golden Square 34 lt Strathfieldsaye 40, Sandhurst 79 d Kyneton 9, Maryborough 19 lt Eaglehawk 62.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 41 d Castlemaine 23, South Bendigo 26 lt Kangaroo Flat 43, Golden Square 29 lt Strathfieldsaye 39, Sandhurst 85 d Kyneton 5, Maryborough 56 d Eaglehawk 19.
Ladders after 11 rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 205 per cent, 44 points; Sandhurst 174, 40; South Bendigo 97, 28; Kangaroo Flat 117, 24; Castlemaine 94, 24; Strathfieldsaye 87, 24; Eaglehawk 76, 20; Kyneton 62, 10; Golden Square 59, 6.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 197 per cent, 44 points; Gisborne 180, 36; Kangaroo Flat 130, 36; South Bendigo 101, 24; Strathfieldsaye 95, 22; Eaglehawk 90, 22; Golden Square 94, 20; Kyneton 75, 8; Castlemaine 58, 6; Maryborough 48, 2.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 232 per cent, 40 points; Kangaroo Flat 176, 40; Gisborne 147, 32; Strathfieldsaye 129, 28; Eaglehawk 122, 28; South Bendigo 106, 20; Castlemaine 62, 16; Golden Square 72, 12; Kyneton 39, 4; Maryborough 44, 0.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 187 per cent, 44 points; Sandhurst 201, 40; Golden Square 157, 32; Maryborough 122, 26; Strathfieldsaye 112, 26; Kangaroo Flat 110, 18; Castlemaine 100, 18; Eaglehawk 70, 12; South Bendigo 50, 4; Kyneton 18, 0.