Sandhurst, South Bendigo dominate netball contests
SANDHURST and South Bendigo made great starts to their netball campaigns in Saturday’s first round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s A-grade competition.
The Sandhurst line-up made the trek down the Calder to face Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve.
Both clubs have featured in many big matches in recent seasons and fans were hopeful of another closely-fought contest.
Sandhurst led by two goals at quarter-time and then broke the shackles in the second.
Led by the play of Meg Williams in mid-court and Sophie Shoebridge in defence the team in maroon and blue gained a nine-goal buffer by half-time and did not let up.
At the final whistle, Sandhurst led 66-33.
A highlight for the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst was a 20-5 tally in the last quarter.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne was without a couple of key players and skill errors proved costly for the home team.
It was an impressive return to BFNL A-Grade netball competition for Castlemaine, with a dominant 21-goal victory over Kyneton, 48-27.
Jane O’Donohue led the way for the Magpies, who will take confidence after a completing a clean-sweep of netball wins from Round 1.
The tireless pre-season work of co-coaches Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke has paid dividends with a successful Round 1 return.
A new-look South Bendigo dominated play against Golden Square at the QEO.
Joint skipper Steph Goode was superb in a defensive unit which held the blue and gold to 23 goals.
Chloe Gray from Wallan also played a starring role from wing attack in the 69-23 victory.
Golden Square’s run was not helped after goalshooter Jane Reid hurt her knee and was out of the game.
Bloods’ coach Jannelle Hobbs was rapt with the play of talented youngsters Ella Flavell and Amy Morrissey.
At Kangaroo Flat the Roos marked a 66-28 win against Maryborough at Dower Park.
On Good Friday, Sandhurst takes on Strathfieldsaye at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Gisborne team will aim to bounce back from defeat when it plays under the Kyneton Showgrounds lights against the Tigers.
Eaglehawk and South Bendigo meet on the Hawks’ court at Canterbury Park.
It’s an-all Magpies showdown as Maryborough hosts Castlemaine at Princes Park.
Round two will be completed on Easter Saturday when Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat play under lights at Wade Street.
Written by Nathan Dole.