BY NATHAN DOLE
Hawks put Storm out of race
EAGLEHAWK put Strathfieldsaye out of the A-grade netball premiership race as it won the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s elimination final on Sunday.
It was a closely-fought contest between the Hawks and Storm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk led 10-6 at quarter-time, but Storm surged back as it won the second term, 11-9.
Quarter three went the way of the Two Blues, 10-8.
The Hawks won the final term, 11-10, and the match, 40-35.
Eaglehawk will now meet Kangaroo Flat in next Sunday’s first semi-final.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos will be keen to bounce back after a four-goal loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final.
Sandhurst led 11-8 at quarter-time, but it was the Roos who bounced to a 21-19 lead by half-time.
In the third the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Dragons raised the pressure.
Sandhurst’s ability to force and capitalise on turnovers is a major strength of its game.
The Dragons won the third quarter, 16-8.
Although Flat hit back to outscore the maroon and blue in the last, 13-11, it was Sandhurst which marked a 46-42 victory.
Sandhurst will take on reigning premier, Gisborne in Saturday’s second semi-final.
In the A-reserve competition, Maryborough won Sunday’s elimination final against Kangaroo Flat.
The Roos led 25-24 at half-time, but the Magpies swooped to win the third term, 17-12.
A four-goal buffer at the start of the final quarter was five by the end as the Magpies won 50-45.
Maryborough will take on Strathfieldsaye in the first semi-final.
The Strathfieldsaye line-up could not halt Sandhurst’s run to a 45-34 victory in the qualifying final.
Just two goals separated the teams at half-time.
Sandhurst led 30-29 at three quarter-time and then dominated the final term, 15-5.
The Dragons will take on Gisborne in the second semi-final on Saturday.
Strathfieldsaye stayed in the B-grade premiership chase as it scored a 50-36 win against South Bendigo in the elimination final.
Storm charged to a 29-16 lead by half-time.
A closely-fought second half went Strathfieldsaye’s way, 21-20.
Next Sunday’s first semi-final will feature Strathfieldsaye against Kangaroo Flat.
The Roos will be aiming to rebound from a 45-34 loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final.
The Dragons won every quarter by margins of two, five, two and two goals.
In the second semi-final it will be Gisborne against Sandhurst.
Kangaroo Flat made a flying start to the B-reserve elimination final against South Bendigo.
The Roos hopped to a 17-3 lead by quarter-time.
South Bendigo hit back to win the second term, 10-7, and was within seven goals at a quarter to play.
It was Kangaroo Flat which regained its mojo to win the last term, 12-8.
At the final siren the Roos led 40-29 to set up a first semi-final showdown with Strathfieldsaye.
The Storm was overrun by a slick Gisborne in the qualifying final.
Gisborne charged to an 18-8 lead by quarter-time and then won term two, 15-6.
There were 97 goals score in the match as the Bulldogs capped excellent work through mid-court in a 67-30 victory.
Gisborne will now take on Sandhurst in the second semi-final.
Sunday’s elimination finals began with a thrilling 17-and-under match between Strathfieldsaye and Gisborne.
Storm led 18-13 at half-time and gained a 10-goal lead by the main break after it outscored the Bulldogs, 18-13 in the second term.
Gisborne fought back to win the third, 14-11.
Although the red, white and blue won the last, 16-12, it was Strathfieldsaye which led 59-56 at the final siren.
Storm will play Maryborough in the first semi-final.
The Magpies from Maryborough took on Golden Square in the qualifying final.
The Bulldogs led 14-8 at quarter-time and held a six-goal buffer by the long break after both teams poured in 17 goals in an entertaining second term.
Golden Square won the next two quarters, 12-11 and 13-10 on the way to a 56-46 victory.
Saturday’s second semi-finals will begin with the 17-and-under match between Sandhurst and Golden Square.
Bendigo FNL netball elimination finals scoreboard:
A-grade: Eaglehawk 40 d Strathfieldsaye 35.
A-reserve: Maryborough 50 d Kangaroo Flat 45.
B-grade: Strathfieldsaye 50 d South Bendigo 36.
B-reserve: Kangaroo Flat 40 d South Bendigo 29.
17-and-under: Strathfieldsaye 59 d Gisborne 56.
Bendigo FNL netball qualifying finals scoreboard:
A-grade: Sandhurst 46 d Kangaroo Flat 42.
A-reserve: Sandhurst 45 d Strathfieldsaye 34.
B-grade: Sandhurst 45 d Kangaroo Flat 34.
B-reserve: Gisborne 67 d Strathfieldsaye 30.
17-and-under: Golden Square 56 d Maryborough 46.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:
17-and-under at 10am: Sandhurst v Golden Square.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Sandhurst v Gisborne.
B-grade at 12.40pm: Gisborne v Sandhurst.
A-reserve at 1pm: Gisborne v Sandhurst.
A-grade at 3.20pm: Gisborne v Sandhurst.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:
17-and-under at 10am: Maryborough v Strathfieldsaye.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Strathfieldsaye v Kangaroo Flat.
B-grade at 12.40pm: Kangaroo Flat v Strathfieldsaye.
A-reserve at 2pm: Strathfieldsaye v Maryborough.
A-grade at 3.20pm: Kangaroo Flat v Eaglehawk.