BY NATHAN DOLE
Gisborne beats Sandhurst in grand final rematch
A BRILLIANT first half set up Gisborne’s victory against Sandhurst in Saturday’s second round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The rematch of the ’23 grand finalists was played at a frenetic pace on the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
In its first hit-out since beating for the premiership cup last September, Gisborne raced to a 16-8 lead by quarter-time.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs capitalised on their work in all thirds of the court to lead 30-16 by the long break.
Sandhurst fought back strongly to win the third term, 11-8.
Best quarter for the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Dragons was the last in which it poured in 11 goals and held the visitors to just four.
At the final siren, Gisborne led 42-38.
Preliminary finalist in ’23, Castlemaine showed it will again be a strong challenger for a top-three berth.
Now coached by Chloe Hughes, Castlemaine made its way to Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval to take on South Bendigo.
After a first-round bye, Castlemaine led 9-7 at quarter-time and 19-12 by the long break.
In the third quarter the Magpies broke the game open as they scored 13 goals and held the Alicia McGlashan-coached Bloods to a tally of six.
South Bendigo won the last, 9-8, but it was Castlemaine which took the premiership points in a 40-27 result.
Strathfieldsaye bounced back from narrow defeat in the season opener to win on Golden Square’s court by 20 goals.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm led 12-6 by the first break and 26-13 by half-time.
Quarter three was to be Strathfieldsaye’s best as it added 17 goals and held the blue and gold to just five.
The Chris O’Sullivan-coached Golden Square doubled its score across the opening three quarters as it added 18 in the last.
At the final siren Storm led 56-36.
Because Maryborough is not fielding an A-grade team, Kangaroo Flat had a bye.
The Magpies and Kangaroos did play the lower grades at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
The A-reserve match between the clubs ended in a 41-all draw.
Eaglehawk had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Castlemaine 148 per cent, 8 points; Eaglehawk 133, 8; Gisborne 110, 8; Strathfieldsaye 125, 4; Sandhurst 103, 4; South Bendigo 85, 4; Kangaroo Flat 84, 4; Golden Square 69, 0.
In next Saturday’s third round, Strathfieldsaye plays Eaglehawk at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Castlemaine takes on Golden Square at Camp Reserve.
Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo clash on the Roos’ court at Dower Park.
It’s a rest for Gisborne in A-grade, but the Bulldogs face Maryborough in the lower grades at Gardiner Reserve.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Round two scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 42 lt Gisborne 48, South Bendigo 47 d Castlemaine 45, Golden Square 33 lt Strathfieldsaye 50, Maryborough 41 dr Kangaroo Flat 41, Eaglehawk bye.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 46 lt Gisborne 52, South Bendigo 47 d Castlemaine 41, Golden Square 40 lt Strathfieldsaye 55, Maryborough 18 lt Kangaroo Flat 48, Eaglehawk bye.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 44 d Gisborne 31, South Bendigo 64 d Castlemaine 18, Golden Square 40 lt Strathfieldsaye 48, Maryborough 15 lt Kangaroo Flat 79, Eaglehawk bye.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 67 d Gisborne 37, South Bendigo 50 d Castlemaine 30, Golden Square 49 d Strathfieldsaye 43, Maryborough 42 d Kangaroo Flat 16, Eaglehawk bye.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Strathfieldsaye 146 per cent, 8 points; Eaglehawk 117, 8; Gisborne 114, 8; Maryborough 122, 6; Sandhurst 97, 4; South Bendigo 85, 4; Kangaroo Flat 95, 2; Castlemaine 80, 0; Golden Square 75, 0.
B-grade:
Strathfieldsaye 135 per cent, 8 points; Eaglehawk 117, 8; Gisborne 113, 8; Kangaroo Flat 134, 4; Sandhurst 101, 4; Castlemaine 98, 4; South Bendigo 91, 4; Golden Square 78, 0; Maryborough 57, 0.
B-reserve:
Eaglehawk 300 per cent, 8 points; Sandhurst 136, 8; Strathfieldsaye 121, 8; Kangaroo Flat 194, 4; South Bendigo 155, 4; Gisborne 70, 4; Castlemaine 62, 4; Golden Square 56, 0; Maryborough 44, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 221 per cent, 8 points; Golden Square 210, 8; Maryborough 149, 8; South Bendigo 126, 4; Strathfieldsaye 96, 4; Gisborne 55, 4; Eaglehawk 20, 4; Castlemaine 74, 0; Kangaroo Flat 34, 0.