BY NATHAN DOLE
Bendigo’s run ended by Goulburn Valley
THE Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s open netball team’s run at Netball Victoria’s Association Championships in Melbourne on Sunday was ended by Goulburn Valley.
A five-one record in pool two at the titles played at the State Netball Centre in Parkville meant Bendigo progressed to the semi-finals.
Coached by Gisborne’s premiership-winning coach Tarryn Rymer, Bendigo played superb netball in the preliminary rounds.
The blue and gold’s run began with a 15-8 win against Nillumbik Force.
Game two was against Hampden.
Bendigo led 5-3 at half-time, but Hampden hit back to win the second, 7-3.
At the final siren Hampden led 10-8.
It was a high-scoring clash between Bendigo and Essendon District in game three.
Bendigo led 11-8 at the break and then won the second half, eight-five.
The winning run kept rolling as the Bendigo FNL defeated Eastern, 17-6; SACSNA, 14-10; and Stonnington, 17-10.
A record of 5-1, 157 per cent and 20 points meant the blue and gold was second in pool two behind the unbeaten Hampden, 6-0, 207 and 24 points.
Top teams in pool one were Goulburn Valley, 7-0 and 351 per cent; and Ovens and Murray, 6-1, 201.
The Goulburn Valley raced to an 8-2 lead by half-time of the semi-final showdown with Bendigo.
GV dominated most of the second half to seal a 17-6 victory.
Hampden beat Ovens and Murray in the other semi by 13 goals.
Eventual champion was Hampden after a 17-10 victory against Goulburn Valley.
Four clubs were represented in the Bendigo FNL open team which had Tarryn Rymer as coach and Strathfieldsaye Storm’s Steph Freemantle as assistant coach.
The Bendigo FNL open team was Charlee Kemp, Tiana Newman, Tori Skrijel (Gisborne); Jasmin Gallagher, Mia McCrann-Peters (Golden Square); Stephanie Greene, Chloe Langley, Abbey Ryan (Kangaroo Flat); and Ella Flavell, Chloe Gray, Alicia McGlashan (South Bendigo).
At 17-and-under level Bendigo’s rising stars achieved a win-loss tally of seven-three and a draw.
The blue and gold which was jointly coached by Nicole Donnellon and Sharni McPherson finished in fifth place.
Bendigo began with a hat-trick of victories – 10-7 against North Gippsland, 17-8 versus Parkville, and 15-8 in the clash with Goulburn Valley.
The run was broken in an 11-16 loss to goldfields rival, Ballarat.
Bendigo hit back to beat Manningham, 16-10; and Sunraysia, 14-9.
A closely-fought match with Gippsland ended in a 12-15 loss.
Next game was a 12-all draw with Banyule & District.
The series was rounded out with a 14-12 win against Ovens and Murray, a 7-14 loss to Hampden, and 13-6 win against Casey.
Seven of Bendigo’s clubs were represented in the 17-and-under team.
The line-up was Kyla Byrne (Castlemaine); Jessie Connors (Gisborne); Charli Hamilton, Emma Keating, Holly Swatton (Golden Square); Lainey Mortlock (Kangaroo Flat); Ella Patten (Maryborough); Lila Kelly, Claire McGee, Neve Pinner, Harriet Whiteacre (Sandhurst); and Eden Clifford (South Bendigo).
In the semis, Ballarat marked a 16-8 win against Ovens and Murray.
Banyule won a great duel with Hampden, 15-14.
Title honours went to Ballarat after an 18-13 result against Banyule & District.