BY NATHAN DOLE
A SECOND quarter blitz set up Sandhurst’s win against Gisborne in Saturday’s 16th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
In the clash of first and second, Sandhurst and Gisborne took to the court adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne made a great start to be within two goals at quarter-time.
In term two it was Sandhurst which seized control.
The unbeaten ladder leader scored 17 goals in the second as Gisborne was held to a tally of six.
Defences were on top for a lot of the third term which went Sandhurst’s way, 9-7.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst had the answers in the final term on the way to a 47-31 victory.
Kangaroo Flat dominated play on its court at Dower Park against Strathfieldsaye.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won 60-44 against the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm.
South Bendigo passed the 70-goal mark against Maryborough at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Bloods won 74-39 against a young Magpies team coached by Jordan Macilwain
Kyneton could not stop Eaglehawk’s charge to an impressive victory in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk made a superb start to lead 20-12 by quarter-time.
Both teams added 14 goals in the second term.
The Hawks’ buffer was 10 goals at a quarter to play, and the Two Blues finished the game strongly to score 11 goals in the last as the Tigers added 12.
At the final whistle Eaglehawk led 59-50.
Golden Square gave Castlemaine an early scare when it led 9-7 at quarter-time of the match at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Jointly coached by Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke, Castlemaine hit back to win the second term, 13-5.
A six-goal lead for the Magpies at half-time became 18 by the last change after it doubled its first half score in the third term.
Castlemaine led 40-22 going into the last and then added 12 goals as the blue and gold scored eight.
It was a 52-30 victory for Castlemaine against the Benita Swatton-coached Golden Square.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 218 per cent, 64 points; Gisborne 175, 52; Kangaroo Flat 165, 48; Castlemaine 123, 46; South Bendigo 113, 34; Strathfieldsaye 91, 26; Kyneton 91, 22; Eaglehawk 73, 16; Maryborough 56, 12; Golden Square 36, 0.
The 17th round will be played next Saturday.
Castlemaine is on its court at Camp Reserve to play Sandhurst.
Strathfieldsaye faces Maryborough on Storm’s court at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Gisborne and South Bendigo clash on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve
Kangaroo Flat is on its court at Dower Park to play Kyneton.
Eaglehawk and Golden Square will play in the Hawks’ nest Canterbury Park.
Round 16 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 50 dr Gisborne 50, South Bendigo bye, Golden Square 27 lt Castlemaine 48, Kyneton 55 dr Eaglehawk 55, Kangaroo Flat 43 d Strathfieldsaye 41.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 54 dr Gisborne 54, South Bendigo 50 d Maryborough 30, Golden Square 49 d Castlemaine 29, Kyneton 38 lt Eaglehawk 49, Kangaroo Flat 31 lt Strathfieldsaye 44.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 54 d Gisborne 35, South Bendigo 59 d Maryborough 36, Golden Square 49 d Castlemaine 21, Kyneton 21 lt Eaglehawk 49, Kangaroo Flat 58 d Strathfieldsaye 45.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 55 d Gisborne 44, South Bendigo 21 lt Maryborough 52, Golden Square 43 d Castlemaine 38, Kyneton 14 lt Eaglehawk 59, Kangaroo Flat 38 d Strathfieldsaye 36.
Ladders after 16 rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 180 per cent, 62 points; Sandhurst 167, 58; South Bendigo 109, 44; Kangaroo Flat 114, 40; Castlemaine 101, 36; Strathfieldsaye 84, 28; Eaglehawk 79, 26; Kyneton 67, 16; Golden Square 54, 10.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 190 per cent, 62 points; Gisborne 162, 54; Kangaroo Flat 132, 48; South Bendigo 102, 34; Strathfieldsaye 99, 34; Eaglehawk 97, 34; Golden Square 90, 28; Kyneton 84, 18; Castlemaine 53, 6; Maryborough 48, 2.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 233 per cent, 60 points; Kangaroo Flat 185, 60; Gisborne 138, 44; Strathfieldsaye 119, 40; Eaglehawk 118, 36; South Bendigo 104, 28; Golden Square 82, 24; Castlemaine 59, 20; Kyneton 44, 8; Maryborough 41, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 180 per cent, 60 points; Gisborne 178, 56; Golden Square 150, 48; Maryborough 129, 38; Strathfieldsaye 119, 38; Castlemaine 111, 30; Kangaroo Flat 103, 26; Eaglehawk 74, 16; South Bendigo 46, 8; Kyneton 19, 0.