BY NATHAN DOLE
Dragons take points against Roos under QEO lights
SANDHURST claimed the premiership points once again when it met Kangaroo Flat in Friday night’s start to the 10th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s season.
The Dragons and Kangaroos played under the lights at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst led 16-11 at quarter-time and 24-21 by the main break.
It was goal-for-goal throughout, but the Dragons had the answers as they won the third term, 12-10.
Sandhurst sustained a major blow early in the last term when gun mid-courter Meg Williams hurt her ankle and took no further part in the contest.
Despite the setback, Sandhurst’s team steadied and was able to record a 47-42 victory against the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos.
The win has put Sandhurst on top spot leading into next Saturday’s match on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve.
It was closely-fought contest between South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The Alicia McGlashan-coached South Bendigo tipped off the season by scoring a two-goal win on Strathfieldsaye’s court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
This time it was Storm which charged to a 10-6 lead by quarter-time.
South Bendigo hit back to win the second term, 13-10.
Just two goals separated the teams going into the final quarter.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm capitalised on moves into the goaling circle.
A tally of nine goals as the Bloods added eight was enough for Strathfieldsaye to claim a 43-40 victory.
Golden Square was on its court at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street to take on Eaglehawk.
Determined to strengthen its position in the five, Eaglehawk won a great battle by 15 goals.
The Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square worked hard to be level at quarter-time and within three and five goals at the next two breaks.
In the last it was the Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk which broke clear.
The Two Blues slotted 13 goals and held the blue and gold to a tally of three.
At the final siren, Eaglehawk led 43-30.
It was a rest for Castlemaine’s A-grade team, but the Maine did play at Maryborough’s Princes Park in the lower grades.
Gisborne had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 185 per cent, 28 points; Kangaroo Flat 180, 24; Gisborne 138, 24; Strathfieldsaye 92, 16; Eaglehawk 78, 16; Golden Square 61, 8; South Bendigo 65, 4; Castlemaine 64, 4.
Highlight of next Saturday’s 11th round will be the Gisborne and Sandhurst showdown at Gardiner Reserve from 2.30pm.
Strathfieldsaye will face Golden Square at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Castlemaine returns to its court at Camp Reserve to take on South Bendigo.
It’s a rest for Kangaroo Flat in A-grade, but the Roos will host Maryborough in the lower grades at Dower Park.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Round 10 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 42 lt Kangaroo Flat 45, South Bendigo 41 lt Strathfieldsaye 51, Golden Square 43 lt Eaglehawk 46, Maryborough 48 d Castlemaine 41, Gisborne bye.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 40 lt Kangaroo Flat 51, South Bendigo 49 lt Strathfieldsaye 59, Golden Square 53 d Eaglehawk 52, Maryborough 20 lt Castlemaine 50, Gisborne bye.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 73 d Kangaroo Flat 30, South Bendigo 44 lt Strathfieldsaye 47, Golden Square 22 lt Eaglehawk 31, Maryborough 29 lt Castlemaine 53, Gisborne bye.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 78 d Kangaroo Flat 13, South Bendigo 35 d Strathfieldsaye 30, Golden Square 60 d Eaglehawk 16, Maryborough 44 d Castlemaine 42, Gisborne bye.
League ladders after 10 rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 210 per cent, 32 points; Strathfieldsaye 127, 28; Maryborough 109, 26; Sandhurst 130, 24; Kangaroo Flat 111, 22; South Bendigo 80, 12; Eaglehawk 70, 8; Castlemaine 66, 8; Golden Square 66, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 196 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 152, 28; Kangaroo Flat 133, 28; Strathfieldsaye 118, 24; South Bendigo 89, 14; Eaglehawk 85, 14; Castlemaine 76, 12; Golden Square 73, 8; Maryborough 47, 0.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 229 per cent, 36 points; Gisborne 195, 28; Strathfieldsaye 130, 28; South Bendigo 116, 20; Kangaroo Flat 107.5, 16; Eaglehawk 107.0, 16; Golden Square 68, 8; Castlemaine 58, 8; Maryborough 34, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 256 per cent, 36 points; Golden Square 170, 32; Maryborough 108, 28; Gisborne 103, 16; Castlemaine 101, 16; Strathfieldsaye 96, 12; South Bendigo 88, 12; Eaglehawk 45, 8; Kangaroo Flat 37, 0.