BY NATHAN DOLE
SANDHURST won every quarter to record a 21-goal victory against Castlemaine in Saturday’s eighth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Unbeaten in its pursuit of a fifth consecutive premiership, Sandhurst outplayed the Magpies on the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst led 17-7 at quarter-time and 28-18 by the long break.
Jointly coached by Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke, Castlemaine fought back to score 10 goals in the third as the maroon and blue added 12.
A hot Dragons’ mid-court and attack did not let up the intensity as it won the final quarter, 15-6, and the contest, 55-34.
Brilliant play across the second and third quarters set up a huge win for Gisborne on South Bendigo’s court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne led 15-10 at quarter-time and 30-17 by the long break.
Gisborne then unleashed an 18-goal blitz in the third as it held the Bloods to just six goals.
By the final siren Gisborne led 59-27.
Kangaroo Flat jumped to the third rung following a 38-goal victory at Kyneton.
At the end of an evenly-fought first term, Kangaroo Flat led 11-8.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Roos dominated the next two quarters.
It was 23-7 in favour of the green and white in the second, and 21-11 in the third.
The only blow in Flat’s charge to a 72-34 was a knee injury to gun goaler Louise Dupuy.
Eaglehawk marked its first win of the season on Golden Square’s court at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
The Hawks and Bulldogs were both determined to mark victory number one.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk poured in 22 goals in the opening term to gain a 14-goal buffer on the blue and gold.
A 14-8 second term put the Borough up 36-16 by the long break.
The Benita Swatton-coached Golden Square lifted to score 10 goals in the third as the Two Blues added 11.
Eaglehawk’s play through mid-court and into attack was excellent as it won the final term, 16-9, to record a 63-35 victory.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Strathfieldsaye stayed in touch with the top five by scoring a 30-goal win at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
Storm surged to a 19-7 lead by quarter-time and then added 18 goals as it kept the Magpies to just seven in the second.
Quarters three and four went Strathfieldsaye’s way, 17-13 and 15-12.
At the final siren the Storm led 69-39 against the Jordan Macilwain-coached Maryborough.
Storm is a win, but 24 per cent behind the fifth-placed South Bendigo in the premiership race.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 208 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 174, 24; Kangaroo Flat 155, 24; Castlemaine 122, 22; South Bendigo 117, 18; Strathfieldsaye 93, 14; Kyneton 92, 14; Maryborough 64, 8; Eaglehawk 70, 4; Golden Square 40, 0.
The halfway mark of the home and away series will be reached next Saturday.
Castlemaine and South Bendigo meet on Castlemaine’s court at Camp Reserve.
Gisborne is home at Gardiner Reserve to play Maryborough.
Eaglehawk takes on Sandhurst at Canterbury Park.
Kangaroo Flat is on its court at Dower Park to play Golden Square.
Strathfieldsaye meets Kyneton at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Round eight scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 65 d Castlemaine 36, South Bendigo 27 lt Gisborne 66, Kyneton 32 lt Kangaroo Flat 65, Golden Square 37 lt Eaglehawk 51, Eaglehawk bye.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 63 d Castlemaine 21, South Bendigo 28 lt Gisborne 61, Kyneton 37 lt Kangaroo Flat 45, Golden Square 41 lt Eaglehawk 46, Maryborough 34 lt Strathfieldsaye 39.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 61 d Castlemaine 15, South Bendigo 33 lt Gisborne 45, Kyneton 19 lt Kangaroo Flat 82, Golden Square 21 lt Eaglehawk 48, Maryborough 24 lt Strathfieldsaye 48.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 54 d Castlemaine 37, South Bendigo 19 lt Gisborne 56, Kyneton 7 lt Kangaroo Flat 64, Golden Square 63 d Eaglehawk 29, Maryborough 36 dr Strathfieldsaye 36.
Ladders after eight rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 223 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 173, 28; Kangaroo Flat 121, 20; South Bendigo 95, 20; Castlemaine 94, 16; Eaglehawk 79, 16; Strathfieldsaye 76, 16; Kyneton 58, 8; Golden Square 59, 4.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 205 per cent, 32 points; Kangaroo Flat 140, 28; Gisborne 154, 24; Strathfieldsaye 96, 18; South Bendigo 92, 18; Eaglehawk 87, 16; Golden Square 94, 12; Kyneton 80, 8; Castlemaine 60, 2; Maryborough 55, 2.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 248 per cent, 32 points; Kangaroo Flat 192, 28; Gisborne 145, 24; Eaglehawk 124, 24; Strathfieldsaye 128, 16; South Bendigo 104, 12; Castlemaine 60, 12; Golden Square 66, 8; Kyneton 41, 4; Maryborough 41, 0.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 194 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 169, 8; Golden Square 158, 24; Maryborough 132, 22; Strathfieldsaye 96, 18; Kangaroo Flat 122, 14; Castlemaine 92, 10; Eaglehawk 77, 8; South Bendigo 46, 4; Kyneton 21, 0.