BY NATHAN DOLE
Kangaroos jump back to top after win at Gisborne
KANGAROO Flat jumped back to top spot on the A-grade netball ladder after Saturday’s ninth round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos made their way down Calder Highway to take on Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve.
A closely-fought first quarter ended wit the Roos in front, 13-10.
In the second the Flat increased its buffer by a goal as it led 25-21 at half-time.
Quarter three was another great contest in all thirds of the court.
At a term to go it was the Roos who led 36-30.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne lifted its play in the last to score 13 goals, but the tally was matched by the visitors.
At the final whistle Kangaroo Flat led 49-43.
Sandhurst dominated its match against Castlemaine at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst led 25-11 at quarter-time and won the second term, 23-14.
A Magpies’ line-up coached by Chloe Hughes kept working hard, but Sandhurst’s slick teamwork and goaling accuracy was superb.
Sandhurst won the third term, 17-13, and then added 23 goals as it kept the Pies to a tally of seven in the last.
At the final whistle the maroon and blue led 88-45.
It was a closely-fought contest up to three quarter-time between South Bendigo and Eaglehawk at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks led 11-7 at quarter-time.
A Bloods’ team coached by Alicia McGlashan fought back to win the second, 11-9, as the Hawks held a 20-18 by the main break.
Eaglehawk led 32-29 going into the final term and then outscored the Bloods in the last, 13-6, to clinch a 45-35 victory.
It was a rest for the Steph Freemantle-coached Strathfieldsaye in A-grade, but Storm did play in the lower grades on Maryborough’s court at Princes Park.
Golden Square had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 199 per cent, 24 points; Sandhurst 198, 24; Gisborne 138, 24; Strathfieldsaye 90, 12; Eaglehawk 72, 12; Golden Square 60, 8; Castlemaine 65, 4; South Bendigo 61, 4.
Round 10 begins with Friday night’s match between Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat from 7pm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
In Saturday’s action, South Bendigo is home at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to take on Strathfieldsaye.
Golden Square faces Eaglehawk at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Maryborough hosts Castlemaine in the lower grades at Princes Park, but there will be no A-grade match.
Gisborne has the bye.
Round nine scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 53 d Kangaroo Flat 38, South Bendigo 51 d Eaglehawk 41, Sandhurst 70 d Castlemaine 35, Maryborough 39 lt Strathfieldsaye 43, Golden Square bye.
B-grade:
Gisborne 48 d Kangaroo Flat 31, South Bendigo 52 dr Eaglehawk 52, Sandhurst 63 d Castlemaine 40, Maryborough 36 lt Strathfieldsaye 71, Golden Square bye.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 50 d Kangaroo Flat 36, South Bendigo 40 d Eaglehawk 21, Sandhurst 77 d Castlemaine 27, Maryborough 27 lt Strathfieldsaye 96, Golden Square bye.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 51 d Kangaroo Flat 23, South Bendigo 26 lt Eaglehawk 29, Sandhurst 70 d Castlemaine 41, Maryborough 49 d Strathfieldsaye 38, Golden Square bye.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 210 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 135, 24; Strathfieldsaye 127, 24; Maryborough 108, 22; Kangaroo Flat 112, 18; South Bendigo 80, 12; Castlemaine 64, 8; Eaglehawk 67, 4; Golden Square 63, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 196 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 166, 28; Kangaroo Flat 134, 24; Strathfieldsaye 117, 20; South Bendigo 90, 14; Eaglehawk 83, 14; Castlemaine 67, 8; Golden Square 69, 4; Maryborough 47, 0.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 227 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 195, 28; Strathfieldsaye 134, 24; South Bendigo 119, 20; Kangaroo Flat 123, 16; Eaglehawk 104, 12; Golden Square 68, 8; Castlemaine 51, 4; Maryborough 33, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 235 per cent, 32 points; Golden Square 159, 28; Maryborough 108, 24; Gisborne 103, 16; Castlemaine 101, 16; Strathfieldsaye 97, 12; South Bendigo 85, 8; Eaglehawk 48, 8; Kangaroo Flat 41, 0.