BY NATHAN DOLE
Golden Square unleashes final term blitz
A FINAL quarter blitz of 15 goals as it kept the opposition to a tally of eight helped Golden Square clinch victory against South Bendigo in Saturday’s eighth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
In her second match in charge, Teigan Redwood was rapt with Golden Square’s fighting spirit on its court at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
The blue and gold was down 5-9 at quarter-time and 13-19 by the long break of the clash with the Alicia McGlashan-coached South Bendigo.
Although the home team won the third term, 10-9, it was the Bloods who led 28-23 going into the last quarter.
Determined to mark its first victory since the round three triumph on Castlemaine’s court, Golden Square unleashed a brilliant final term.
The Bulldogs won the quarter, 15-8, and the match, 38-36.
Strathfieldsaye was outplayed by the skilful Sandhurst on the Triple M court in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
An 18-3 opening term put the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst well in control.
By half-time the maroon and blue led 34-13.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm kept working hard, but the Dragons’ slick passes in all thirds of the court were superb.
Sandhurst won the third term, 18-7, and the last, 16-5.
At the final siren Sandhurst led 68-25.
Reigning premier Gisborne moved to the top of the ladder following a hard-fought 67-53 victory on Castlemaine’s court at Gardiner Reserve.
Although beaten it was a much improved effort by the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has won all six matches.
It was a rest for Eaglehawk in A-grade, but the Hawks faced Maryborough in the lower grades at Canterbury Park.
Kangaroo Flat had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Gisborne 150 per cent, 24 points; Kangaroo Flat 219, 20; Sandhurst 199, 20; Strathfieldsaye 90, 12; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Golden Square 60, 8; Castlemaine 68, 4; South Bendigo 59, 4.
Highlight of next Saturday’s ninth round will be Gisborne on its court at Gardiner Reserve against Kangaroo Flat.
South Bendigo takes on Eaglehawk at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
Sandhurst faces Castlemaine at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It’s a rest for Strathfieldsaye in A-grade, but Storm’s other teams will trek to Maryborough’s Princes Park to play the Magpies.
Golden Square has the bye.
Round eight scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Golden Square 38 lt South Bendigo 42, Strathfieldsaye 35 lt Sandhurst 38, Castlemaine 17 lt Gisborne 79, Eaglehawk 25 lt Maryborough 44, Kangaroo Flat bye.
B-grade:
Golden Square 41 lt South Bendigo 42, Strathfieldsaye 38 lt Sandhurst 52, Castlemaine 29 lt Gisborne 53, Eaglehawk 48 d Maryborough 36, Kangaroo Flat bye.
B-reserve:
Golden Square 34 lt South Bendigo 39, Strathfieldsaye 34 lt Sandhurst 56, Castlemaine 19 lt Gisborne 75, Eaglehawk 65 d Maryborough 22, Kangaroo Flat bye.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 60 d South Bendigo 33, Strathfieldsaye 26 lt Sandhurst 75, Castlemaine 62 d Gisborne 51, Eaglehawk 25 lt Maryborough 44, Kangaroo Flat bye.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 223 per cent, 28 points; Maryborough 111, 22; Strathfieldsaye 130, 20; Sandhurst 127, 20; Kangaroo Flat 119, 18; South Bendigo 75, 8; Castlemaine 67, 8; Eaglehawk 65, 4; Golden Square 63, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 202 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 168, 24; Kangaroo Flat 149, 24; Strathfieldsaye 108, 16; South Bendigo 89, 12; Eaglehawk 81, 12; Castlemaine 68, 8; Golden Square 69, 4; Maryborough 47, 0.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 219 per cent, 28 points; Gisborne 205, 24; Strathfieldsaye 114, 20; Kangaroo Flat 134, 16; South Bendigo 114, 16; Eaglehawk 111, 12; Golden Square 68, 8; Castlemaine 54, 4; Maryborough 34, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 251 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 159, 28; Maryborough 106, 20; Castlemaine 111, 16; Strathfieldsaye 100, 12; Gisborne 95, 12; South Bendigo 85, 8; Eaglehawk 44, 4; Kangaroo Flat 41, 0.