TWO of A-grade netball’s greatest rivals, Gisborne and Sandhurst meet in this Saturday’s ninth round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League season.
Gisborne will be fighting to continue its unbeaten run and gain a decisive six-point break on Sandhurst when they play on the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The league’s second and third-placed teams boast plenty of scoring power, skilful mid-courters, and strong defence.
Both scored impressive wins last round.
Gisborne doubled Maryborough’s tally in a 60-30 victory at Gardiner Reserve as Sandhurst marked its trek to Kyneton by scoring a 21-goal win against the Tigers.
The only match Gisborne has not claimed all points this season was in a 43-all result with Kangaroo Flat at Gardiner Reserve in round three.
Sandhurst’s sole defeat this campaign was a 46-51 result on Kangaroo Flat’s court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park in the fourth round.
Strathfieldsaye Storm will eye a chance to overtake Kyneton on the ladder when they meet at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
Storm’s latest hit-out ended in a nine-goal loss to Eaglehawk at S & R Park in Canterbury Park.
The match in the Borough was Storm’s first since it played South Bendigo on May 15 at the QEO.
Eaglehawk will be wary of Golden Square at Fur Life Vet Oval in Wade Street.
The fifth-placed Hawks are only a win clear of Kyneton, but have a 29 per cent break on the yellow and black.
Golden Square is back on court after last Saturday’s rest as Castlemaine is not fielding an A-grade team.
The South Bendigo line-up heads west to play Maryborough at Barkers Oval in Princes Park.
The Bloods are on the rebound from a 35-goal loss to Kangaroo Flat, while the Magpies have endured a tough run in recent weeks.
After a 14-goal victory at home against Golden Square in round five, Maryborough was on the end of a two-goal loss at Kyneton and then took on Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne.
Kangaroo Flat takes on Castlemaine in netball’s lower grades at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 200 per cent, 30 points; Gisborne 161, 30; Sandhurst 189, 28; South Bendigo 92, 20; Eaglehawk 90, 16; Kyneton 61, 12; Strathfieldsaye 75, 8; Maryborough 64, 8; Golden Square 53, 8.
Written by Nathan Dole.