BY NATHAN DOLE
Sandhurst nets points on Kangaroos’ court
SANDHURST scored a first-up victory on Kangaroo Flat’s court to complete the first round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season on Saturday night.
The Roos and Dragons have been two of the most dominant clubs in A-grade across recent seasons.
A Kangaroo Flat line-up again coached by Jayden Cowling was determined to take the points against last season’s runner-up.
A long-time coach of the Roos, Cowling is also a star on the court.
The previous weekend he won gold representing Victoria in the men’s open final at the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association national titles in Brisbane.
Cowling was on the sidelines as the Roos took on the powerful Dragons in Saturday’s match.
A Sandhurst line-up coached by four-time premiership coach Tamara Gilchrist won another top contest, 46-39.
It was a thrilling showdown between Strathfieldsaye and South Bendigo at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
A multiple premiership winner in her time at Kangaroo Flat, Alicia McGlashan marked her A-grade coaching debut with the Bloods in style.
Defences were on top for a lot of the match which went South Bendigo’s way, 36-33 against the Steph Freemantle-coached Strathfieldsaye Storm.
Eaglehawk scored an 11-goal win against Golden Square on the Borough’s court at Canterbury Park.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk did not have it easy against the blue and gold.
At the final whistle the Hawks led 44-33 against the Chris O’Sullivan-coached Golden Square.
Although disappointed by a final margin of 13 goals it was a far more competitive showing by the young Golden Square team across four quarters.
Gisborne had the bye.
The season start was on Good Friday at Castlemaine, but because Maryborough is not fielding an A-grade team the Castlemaine team had a rest.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Eaglehawk 133 per cent, 4 points; Sandhurst 117, 4; South Bendigo 109, 4; Strathfieldsaye 91, 0; Kangaroo Flat 84, 0; Golden Square 75, 0; Castlemaine 0, 0; Gisborne 0, 0.
Highlight of Saturday’s second round will be the grand final rematch between Sandhurst and Gisborne at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
When these clubs last met it was Gisborne which beat Sandhurst in the grand final by a goal.
The win by Gisborne denied Sandhurst a fifth consecutive A-grade premiership.
South Bendigo faces Castlemaine in what will be the Magpies first game of the season.
The Bloods and Magpies meet at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
Golden Square takes on Strathfieldsaye on the Bulldogs’ court in Wade Street.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye in A-grade, but the Roos other teams will play on Maryborough’s court at Princes Park.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Round one scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 40 lt Sandhurst 44, Strathfieldsaye 57 d South Bendigo 40, Eaglehawk 46 d Golden Square 39, Castlemaine 38 lt Maryborough 56, Gisborne bye.
B-grade:
Kangaroo Flat 41 lt Sandhurst 48, Strathfieldsaye 56 d South Bendigo 42, Eaglehawk 41 d Golden Square 35, Castlemaine 34 d Maryborough 29, Gisborne bye.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 32 lt Sandhurst 42, Strathfieldsaye 49 d South Bendigo 40, Eaglehawk 54 d Golden Square 18, Castlemaine 48 d Maryborough 41, Gisborne bye.
17-and-under:
Kangaroo Flat 14 lt Sandhurst 46, Strathfieldsaye 35 d South Bendigo 32, Eaglehawk 15 lt Golden Square 73, Castlemaine 53 lt Maryborough 61, Gisborne bye.
Standings after round one:
A-reserve:
Maryborough 147 per cent, 4 points; Strathfieldsaye 142, 4; Eaglehawk 117, 4; Sandhurst 110, 4; Kangaroo Flat 90, 0; Golden Square 84, 0; South Bendigo 70, 0; Castlemaine 67, 0; Gisborne 0, 0.
B-grade:
Strathfieldsaye 133 per cent, 4 points; Castlemaine 117.2, 4; Eaglehawk 117.1, 4; Sandhurst 117.0, 4; Kangaroo Flat 85.4, 0; Golden Square 85.3, 0; Maryborough 85.2, 0; South Bendigo 75, 0; Gisborne 0, 0.
B-reserve:
Eaglehawk 300 per cent, 4 points; Sandhurst 131, 0; Strathfieldsaye 122, 4; Castlemaine 117, 4; Maryborough 85, 0; South Bendigo 81, 0; Kangaroo Flat 76, 0; Golden Square 33, 0; Gisborne 0, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 486 per cent, 4 points; Sandhurst 328, 0; Maryborough 115, 4; Strathfieldsaye 109, 4; South Bendigo 91, 0; Castlemaine 86, 0; Kangaroo Flat 30, 0; Eaglehawk 20, 0; Gisborne 0, 0.