Storm strives to stop Sandhurst’s hot hands
STRATHFIELDSAYE will do all it can to stop Sandhurst’s hot passing game when they meet in the A-grade netball match in round two of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL match on Good Friday.
Not only is Storm up against a fierce opponent, but also on Sandhurst’s court at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Both teams made an impressive start to their season.
Storm scored a 41-35 win against Eaglehawk at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
The play of Jackie Geary in defence and Lucy Spalding in attack will again be a key for the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm this round.
Recruited from Wangaratta Rovers, Brylee Wilson starred in her first match for Storm.
The Sandhurst line-up dominated at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve to score a 66-33 victory against the red, white and blue.
A formidable team coached by Tamara Gilchrist includes Sophie Shoebridge in defence and Meg Williams in mid-court.
Eaglehawk will be on the rebound from defeat as it takes on the new-look South Bendigo at Canterbury Park.
The Hawks worked hard to fight back from a 12-goal deficit on Storm’s court to be 28-all at a quarter to go, but went down by six.
Key defender Elley Lawton who is joint coach would be a valuable inclusion should she take to the court on Good Friday.
Goal attack Gracie Berryman was Eaglehawk’s best against Storm and will test the Bloods’ defence.
South Bendigo dominated play against Golden Square to score a 69-23 victory.
Key players for the Jannelle Hobbs-coached Bloods include Chloe Gray at wing attack, and co-captain Steph Goode in defence.
After a disappointing start, Gisborne will be aiming to hit back when it plays under lights at Kyneton Showgrounds.
The Bulldogs and Tigers are both on the rebound from defeat.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne was without a couple of key players for round one.
Kyneton faced a daunting task at Castlemaine as the Magpies marked their return to A-grade.
The Tigers were beaten 48-27.
Maryborough meets Castlemaine in the all-Magpies match on Friday at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
The Borough was beaten 66-28 by the formidable Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park.
Jointly coached by Gary Cooke and Fiona Fowler, Castlemaine showed it will be a team to watch this season.
Stars in the Maine’s impressive win against the yellow and black were Caitlin Richardson in mid-court, Jane O’Donohue as goalshooter, Mikaela Vaughan, and Bridie Semmens on her return to the Pies from Harcourt.
Round two will be completed on Easter Saturday when Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat play under lights at Wade Street.
A young Golden Square line-up which is coached by Benita Swatton will aim to maintain a high level of pressure on the Roos’ mid-court and attack.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat started the season in fine form and will be confident of marking back-to-back wins.
Bendigo FNL A-grade netball ladder:
South Bendigo 300 per cent, 4 points; Kangaroo Flat 235, 4; Sandhurst 200, 4; Castlemaine 177, 4; Strathfieldsaye 117, 4; Eaglehawk 85, 0; Kyneton 56, 0; Gisborne 50, 0; Maryborough 42, 0; Golden Square 33, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole.