BY NATHAN DOLE
DEFENCES were well on top as Sandhurst beat Gisborne in Saturday’s seventh round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Two of the competition’s most powerful teams of recent seasons took to Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve.
In pursuit of a fifth consecutive A-grade premiership, Sandhurst fought to keep its unbeaten run rolling.
Scores were locked on 11-all at quarter-time before the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won the second term, 10-6.
The Dragons upped the margin by two goals going into the final term.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne worked hard to match Sandhurst’s scoring output in the last.
At the final siren, Sandhurst led 38-32.
Gisborne’s defeat has meant the Castlemaine Magpies have soared to the second rung after a 35-goal win at home against Golden Square.
It was an emotional day for all involved at Castlemaine FNC at Camp Reserve.
The Castlemaine team which is coached by Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke led 15-9 at quarter-time and 34-19 by the long break.
Term three was to be the Magpies’ best as they scored 18 goals and kept the blue and gold to just seven.
A 26-goal lead at the start of the fourth term became 35 by the end as Castlemaine marked a 71-36 victory.
Kyneton withstood a spirited challenge from Eaglehawk on the Hawks’ court at Canterbury Park.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk made a superb start to lead 14-9 by quarter-time.
In the second it was Kyneton which lifted to win it, 13-7.
The Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers held a seven-goal buffer at the start of the fourth term, but the Two Blues kept fighting.
Eaglehawk won the last, 11-7, but the yellow and black took the points in a 41-38 result.
Kangaroo Flat dominated play on Strathfieldsaye Storm’s court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won 80-37.
After a draw the previous round, South Bendigo hit back for a 50-goal victory on Maryborough’s court at Princes Park.
The Jannelle Hobbs-coached South Bendigo led 33-8 at half-time and did not ease the intensity on the way to a 68-18 win.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 215 per cent, 28 points; Castlemaine 136, 22; Gisborne 169, 20; Kangaroo Flat 148, 20; South Bendigo 132, 18; Kyneton 104, 14; Strathfieldsaye 84, 10; Maryborough 65, 8; Eaglehawk 60, 0; Golden Square 38, 0.
In next Saturday’s eighth round, South Bendigo is back on the court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to play Gisborne.
Play on King’s Birthday holiday weekend includes Sandhurst against Castlemaine at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Golden Square plays Eaglehawk at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Kyneton is back at home at Kyneton Showgrounds to play Kangaroo Flat.
Maryborough hosts Strathfieldsaye at Princes Park.
Round seven scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 40 d Sandhurst 34, Castlemaine 52 d Golden Square 34, Eaglehawk 48 d Kyneton 35, Strathfieldsaye 18 lt Kangaroo Flat 50, South Bendigo bye.
B-grade:
Gisborne 38 lt Sandhurst 53, Castlemaine 24 lt Golden Square 45, Eaglehawk 47 d Kyneton 36, Maryborough 26 lt South Bendigo 36, Strathfieldsaye 22 lt Kangaroo Flat 41.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 34 lt Sandhurst 42, Castlemaine 35 d Golden Square 34, Eaglehawk 47 d Kyneton 26, Maryborough 24 lt South Bendigo 52, Strathfieldsaye 29 lt Kangaroo Flat 39.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 49 d Sandhurst 43, Castlemaine 40 lt Golden Square 43, Eaglehawk 44 d Kyneton 18, Maryborough 62 d South Bendigo 22, Strathfieldsaye 36 d Kangaroo Flat 29.
Ladders after seven rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 229 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 175, 24; South Bendigo 111, 20; Kangaroo Flat 110, 16; Castlemaine 105, 16; Strathfieldsaye 76, 12; Eaglehawk 72, 12; Kyneton 60, 8; Golden Square 57, 4.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 195 per cent, 28 points; Kangaroo Flat 143, 24; Gisborne 147, 20; South Bendigo 103, 18; Strathfieldsaye 94, 14; Golden Square 94, 12; Eaglehawk 84, 12; Kyneton 80, 8; Castlemaine 65, 2; Maryborough 51, 2.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 234 per cent, 28 points; Kangaroo Flat 171, 24; Gisborne 146, 20; Eaglehawk 116, 20; Strathfieldsaye 120, 12; South Bendigo 109, 12; Castlemaine 67, 12; Golden Square 70, 8; Kyneton 45, 4; Maryborough 40, 0.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 185 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 172, 24; Golden Square 151, 20; Maryborough 137, 20; Strathfieldsaye 96, 16; Kangaroo Flat 101, 10; Castlemaine 97, 10; Eaglehawk 84, 8; South Bendigo 48, 4; Kyneton 22, 0.