BY NATHAN DOLE
Four matches being played in top grade
A FULL complement of four A-grade netball matches will be played this Saturday as the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL marks its 14th round.
Fourth takes on first as Eaglehawk meets Kangaroo Flat on the Borough’s court at Canterbury Park.
Both teams claimed premiership points in last Saturday’s action.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk capped the trip to Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve by scoring a 58-40 victory.
Massive test for the Hawks in all thirds of the court against the ladder-leading Kangaroos who romped to a 74-27 win at home in Dower Park last round.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos were in hot form against Golden Square and will start favourite to chalk up win number one.
When the Hawks and Roos met at Dower Park in round six it was Kangaroo Flat which claimed a 76-15 victory.
South Bendigo and Sandhurst meet on Graeme Wright Memorial Cup day as the Bloods take on the Dragons at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
The Alicia McGlashan-coached South Bendigo has endured a tough run in recent weeks.
The Bloods were up against a red-hot Gisborne last Saturday.
In tough conditions it was Gisborne which won 54-9.
A week earlier and the Bloods played Kangaroo Flat on the Kennington court.
This Saturday they are up against a well-rested Sandhurst team.
A break for inter-league, bye and then being drawn to play Maryborough last round has meant the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst has not played since June 29 at Gisborne.
The maroon and blue beat South Bendigo by 50 goals in their previous showdown at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Strathfieldsaye returns to the court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to play Castlemaine.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm will be confident of marking win number six.
In round six Storm won at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve by 28 goals.
The Chloe Hughes-coached Magpies have played inspired netball at times, but struggled for consistency in quarters and game by game.
Golden Square will be home at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street to face the in-form Gisborne.
Another big challenge for the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square after last Saturday’s match at Kangaroo Flat.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne is in ominous form as it chases back-to-back premierships.
Gisborne marked a 27-goal win against Golden Square at Gardiner Reserve in round six.
Maryborough has the bye across the lower grades.
Standings in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 188 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 152, 32; Sandhurst 170, 28; Eaglehawk 89, 24; Strathfieldsaye 93, 20; Golden Square 69, 12; South Bendigo 70, 8; Castlemaine 57, 4.