BY NATHAN DOLE
KANGAROO Flat overcame a half-time deficit of three goals to beat Gisborne in Saturday’s fourth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Kangaroos and Bulldogs have played out many great matches in recent years and Saturday’s clash on the Roos’ court at Dower Park did not disappoint.
The Roos led 12-10 at quarter-time, but the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne lifted in the second to win it 12-7 and hold a three-goal buffer by the main break.
Kangaroo Flat fought back strongly to 33-32 at a quarter to go.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos held their nerve and with precise passes through the mid-court were able to win the final term, 11-10, and claim the premiership points in a 44-42 victory.
South Bendigo dominated its showdown with Golden Square at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Bloods made it a 3-1 record after an 81-28 victory.
After a closely-fought opening three quarters, Castlemaine surged clear in the last for a 50-37 win at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Scores were locked on 11-all at quarter-time as the Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine was under pressure from the Two Blues.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks worked hard to be within four goals at half-time and within two going into the last.
Castlemaine capitalised on turnovers and more entries to its attacking third to score 18 goals and held the Two Blues to just seven to complete a 13-goal win.
A tally of 17 goals in the first quarter gave Kyneton an eight-goal buffer in the clash with Maryborough at Kyneton Showgrounds.
It was high-scoring match between the Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers and the Jordan Macilwain-coached Magpies.
Kyneton led 32-19 at half-time, but the Pies did well in a 12-15 run in the third.
The yellow and black finished strongly to complete a 64-47 victory.
Sandhurst’s unbeaten streak kept rolling as the maroon and blue marked a 30-goal win at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst led 13-6 at quarter-time and then dominated the second to lead 25-9 by the main break.
The Dragons won the third, 14-6, and the last, 14-8, for a 53-23 result against the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 205 per cent, 16 points; South Bendigo 156, 12; Gisborne 141, 12; Kangaroo Flat 136, 12; Castlemaine 121, 12; Kyneton 122, 8; Strathfieldsaye 87, 4; Maryborough 73, 4; Eaglehawk 59, 0; Golden Square 32, 0.
Highlight of Saturday’s fifth round will be South Bendigo against Sandhurst on Graeme Wright Memorial Cup day in the Bloods’ new home at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.
Another big match will be at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve where the Magpies face Kangaroo Flat in the showdown between fourth and fifth.
Maryborough is home at Princes Park to play Golden Square.
Strathfieldsaye is back at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to host Eaglehawk.
Gisborne and Kyneton fight for premiership points at Gardiner Reserve.
Round four scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 38 lt Gisborne 51, Golden Square 30 lt South Bendigo 51, Eaglehawk 52 d Castlemaine 48, Strathfieldsaye 26 lt Sandhurst 59, Kyneton bye.
B-grade:
Kangaroo Flat 47 d Gisborne 42, Golden Square 33 lt South Bendigo 34, Eaglehawk 45 d Castlemaine 43, Kyneton 44 d Maryborough 29, Strathfieldsaye 30 lt Sandhurst 53.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 59 d Gisborne 42, Golden Square 21 lt South Bendigo 25, Eaglehawk 48 d Castlemaine 24, Kyneton 41 d Maryborough 33, Strathfieldsaye 30 lt Sandhurst 36.
17-and-under:
Kangaroo Flat 36 lt Gisborne 50, Golden Square 67 d South Bendigo 15, Kyneton 14 lt Maryborough 58, Eaglehawk 30 lt Castlemaine 37, Strathfieldsaye 38 lt Sandhurst 58.
Bendigo FNL ladders after four rounds of netball:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 211 per cent, 16 points; Sandhurst 203, 16; South Bendigo 138, 16; Castlemaine 84, 8; Kyneton 74, 8; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Kangaroo Flat 75, 4; Strathfieldsaye 67, 4; Golden Square 64, 0.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 192 per cent, 16 points; Gisborne 155, 12; Kangaroo Flat 116, 12; South Bendigo 109, 12; Strathfieldsaye 94, 8; Eaglehawk 81, 8; Kyneton 82, 4; Golden Square 79, 4; Castlemaine 74, 2; Maryborough 62, 2.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 224 per cent, 16 points; Kangaroo Flat 166, 12; Gisborne 129, 12; Eaglehawk 123, 12; Strathfieldsaye 145, 8; South Bendigo 128, 8; Golden Square 59.6, 4; Castlemaine 59.1, 4; Kyneton 45, 4; Maryborough 42, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 187 per cent, 16 points; Maryborough 179, 16; Gisborne 174, 16; Golden Square 204, 12; Kangaroo Flat 100, 4; Castlemaine 78, 4; Strathfieldsaye 77, 4; Eaglehawk 71, 4; South Bendigo 57, 4; Kyneton 23, 0.