Castlemaine stuns Sandhurst as Roos jump back to top rung
CASTLEMAINE’S one-goal victory against Sandhurst capped a dramatic 18th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League season on Saturday.
In the build-up to a hard-earned finals campaign, Castlemaine took on a Sandhurst line-up which is in pursuit of a fourth consecutive A-grade premiership in Saturday’s play at Camp Reserve.
The Dragons made a hot start to the contest and led by six goals at quarter-time and nine by the main break.
Jointly coached by Gary Cooke and on-court star Fiona Fowler, Castlemaine lifted its defensive play in all thirds of the court.
Castlemaine was back within six goals of the Dragons at a quarter to go.
The Magpies then dominated the last as they scored 14 goals and held the maroon and blue to just seven to complete an incredible 47-46 win.
The result meant the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst slipped from the top spot to second and now faces Gisborne in this Saturday’s qualifying final.
Confidence in the Castlemaine line-up has soared approaching Sunday’s elimination final against South Bendigo.
The big winner from the round was Kangaroo Flat which beat South Bendigo by 19 goals at Queen Elizabeth Oval and regained top spot and a rest for the opening week of the finals series.
Gisborne scored a 50-35 win on its court at Gardiner Reserve against Eaglehawk.
In the clash of sixth and seventh, Kyneton won a great battle with Maryborough, 48-43 in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.
Golden Square was desperate to mark a 300th game by club legend Kristen Wilson with a victory, but it was not to be as Strathfieldsaye ended its season with a 60-40 win at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Final ladders after 18 rounds in the Bendigo FNL home and away series:
A-grade:
Kangaroo Flat 192 per cent, 64 points; Sandhurst 180, 64; Gisborne 143, 56; Castlemaine 116, 48; South Bendigo 111, 46; Kyneton 83, 30; Maryborough 80, 20; Eaglehawk 69, 16; Strathfieldsaye 67, 16; Golden Square 46, 0.
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 178 per cent, 68 points; Sandhurst 136, 66; Gisborne 151, 56; Castlemaine 101, 46; South Bendigo 127, 44; Strathfieldsaye 70, 30; Eaglehawk 79, 24; Golden Square 60, 16; Kyneton 55, 10.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 177 per cent, 64 points; Kangaroo Flat 143, 62; Gisborne 147, 60; South Bendigo 145, 50; Strathfieldsaye 128, 44; Eaglehawk 84, 26; Golden Square 72, 22; Maryborough 64, 20; Kyneton 63, 8; Castlemaine 51, 4.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 201 per cent, 68 points; Gisborne 154, 60; Kangaroo Flat 179, 56; Eaglehawk 178, 52; South Bendigo 128, 40; Maryborough 56, 26; Strathfieldsaye 83, 24; Golden Square 55, 20; Castlemaine 66, 14; Kyneton 29, 0.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 252 per cent, 72 points; Kangaroo Flat 154, 62; Sandhurst 144, 56; Maryborough 113, 46; Golden Square 92, 38; Eaglehawk 81, 26; South Bendigo 84, 20; Castlemaine 82, 20; Strathfieldsaye 72, 20; Kyneton 31, 0.
Schedule for Saturday’s qualifying finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:
17-and-under at 10am: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat.
B-grade at 12.40pm: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
A-reserve at 2pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.
A-grade at 3.20pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.
Schedule for Sunday’s elimination finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:
17-and-under at 10am: Maryborough v Golden Square.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Eaglehawk v South Bendigo.
B-grade at 12.40pm: South Bendigo v Strathfieldsaye.
A-reserve at 2pm: Castlemaine v South Bendigo.
A-grade at 3.20pm: Castlemaine v South Bendigo.
Written by Nathan Dole.
