Hawks turn up heat on Castlemaine’s court

EAGLEHAWK’S eyes are on consecutive victories as it takes to Castlemaine’s court for the A-grade clash in Saturday’s eighth round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League season.

The Hawks showed plenty of determination and skill to score a 44-43 win against Kyneton in round seven.

The victory kept the Two Blues within eight points of the fifth-placed Castlemaine.

Although the Magpies will start favourite to mark their fifth win of the season, they will be wary of the Hawks’ line-up.

Key players for Eaglehawk include Charlotte Edlin in mid-court and Grace Berriman in attack.

Castlemaine has put together a strong squad for its return to A-grade this year.

The Magpies are yet to be at full-strength, but have played well in a lot of contests.

Stung by a one-goal loss at Eaglehawk, Kyneton returns to Tigerland to take on the unbeaten Sandhurst.

The Tigers have won two matches, but their best performance was the drawn showdown with South Bendigo at Kyneton in round three.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst scored a 22-goal win in last Saturday’s match at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

A powerful line-up in the maroon and blue includes Bec Smith in attack, Ruby Turner and Sophie Shoebridge in defence.

Strathfieldsaye Storm takes on Kangaroo Flat at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

The Storm line-up was outplayed by South Bendigo in a 41-65 result at Queen Elizabeth Oval in round seven.

Kangaroo Flat won 52-40 against Gisborne in the battle of second and third on the Dower Park court.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos have plenty of scoring options and a strong defensive third.

In-form players for the Roos include Lou Dupuy, Abbey Ryan and Milly Wicks.

South Bendigo faces Maryborough at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The Bloods passed the 60-goal mark against Storm as Steph Goode, Chloe Gray and Chloe Langley led the way.

The Jannelle Hobbs-coached South Bendigo has bolsted its line-up by recruiting top goalshooter Ash Gilmore who had previously played for Eaglehawk and White Hills.

On the rebound from its second defeat this season, Gisborne should be too strong for Golden Square at Gardiner Reserve.

The Golden Square team worked hard in a 31-44 loss to Castlemaine in the feature match of Indigenous Round at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

 

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Sandhurst 215 per cent, 28 points; Kangaroo Flat 189, 24; Gisborne 123, 20; South Bendigo 118, 18; Castlemaine 100, 16; Kyneton 83, 10; Maryborough 86, 8; Strathfieldsaye 71, 8; Eaglehawk 62, 8; Golden Square 43, 0.

 

Written by Nathan Dole.