BY NATHAN DOLE
Sandhurst marks return to netball court
HAVING not played for premiership points since April 20, Sandhurst is back on court for this Saturday’s fifth round of A-grade netball action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
It’s a clash of previous co-tenants at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Sandhurst and South Bendigo at the iconic venue.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst has win-loss tally of one-one.
After a seven-goal victory at Kangaroo Flat in round one, Sandhurst was beaten a week later by reigning premier, Gisborne.
The match between the ’23 grand finalists on the QEO court went Gisborne’s way, 42-38.
A bye for Sandhurst was followed by another rest for the A-grade team last Saturday because Maryborough is not fielding a team in the top division this season.
The Alicia McGlashan-coached South Bendigo will be desperate to break its winless run.
A first-round match on Strathfieldsaye Storm’s court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane went the Bloods’ way, 36-34
Since then the Bloods have faced three of last season’s finalists in a row.
A tough run for the red and white started at home against Castlemaine at Harry Trott Oval, and then on Kangaroo Flat’s court at Dower Park.
Latest hit-out for South Bendigo at Harry Trott Oval ended in a 61-37 loss to Gisborne.
Another big match on Saturday will be at Kangaroo Flat where the Roos meet Eaglehawk.
Both teams had comfortable victories in round four.
The Roos took on neighbouring Golden Square at the Wade Street ground.
A superb team performace by the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos ended in a 90-35 win againt the blue and gold.
Eaglehawk soared to the third rung on the ladder following a 21-goal win against Castlemaine.
The Hawks and Magpies met in the feature match of Pat Cronin Foundation Round.
Honours went to the Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk, 54-33.
Victorious in both matches it has played, Gisborne will start favourite in its home game at Gardiner Reserve against Golden Square.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne passed the 60-goal mark against South Bendigo last round.
Massive challenge for the Chris O’Sullivan-coached Golden Square in trying to limit Gisborne’s slick moves into the goaling third, and also capitalising on its own scoring chances.
Castlemaine will be back on its court at Camp Reserve to take on Strathfieldsaye.
As the Magpies were beaten at Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye had the bye.
Since a 14-goal win on the road against South Bendigo in round two, Castlemaine was outplayed by Golden Square and Eaglehawk in the next two contests.
The Chloe Hughes-coached Magpies will be focused on a stronger start to this showdown with Storm.
Storm takes a two-one record into this round.
Beaten by South Bendigo in round one, Storm struck back to take the points at Golden Square and then in the round three match against Eaglehawk in Strathfieldsaye.
Maryborough’s netball teams have the bye this round.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 175 per cent, 8 points; Gisborne 137, 8; Eaglehawk 126, 8; Strathfieldsaye 124, 8; Sandhurst 103, 4; Castlemaine 90, 4; South Bendigo 64, 4; Golden Square 63, 4.