THE second-placed Gisborne will fight to continue its winning streak when it plays at Eaglehawk in this Saturday’s sixth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League.
It’s another massive test for the Hawks on their court at S & R Park in Canterbury Park.
The Hawks faced a 0-2 record after being beaten under the S & R Park lights by Kangaroo Flat and then a two-goal loss to South Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Gayle Annan-coached Eaglehawk had a bye and then won at Maryborough by 23 goals and at Kyneton by 15 goals.
Key players in the Two Blues squad include Abby and Ash Gilmore, Bree Heiden, Elly Lawton and Morgan Keating.
Gisborne had a rest last Saturday as it was drawn to play Castlemaine at Gardiner Reserve.
A great run by the Tarryn Eaglehawk marked the trek south to Kyneton by scoring a crucial 15-goal win.
After defeats in the opening two games to the Kangaroos and South Bendigo, Eaglehawk has struck back to win away games at Maryborough by 23 goals and then at Kyneton Showgrounds.
Gisborne hosted Castlemaine in the lower grades of netball at Gardiner Reserve, but the A-grade team had a rest.
A great run by the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has included a 25-goal win at home against Strathfieldsaye, 25-goal victory at Golden Square, a 43-all draw with Kangaroo Flat at home, and 48-40 win against South Bendigo at the QEO.
Players to watch in the Gisborne line-up include Clare Vearing, Madeleine Stewart, Holly Doricic and dual Betty Thompson medallist Tiana Newman.
South Bendigo takes on Strathfieldsaye at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Bloods are on the rebound from a 40-goal loss to Sandhurst, and Strathfieldsaye went down to Kangaroo Flat by 32 goals at Triple M Park in Storm territory.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached South Bendigo holds fifth place, but a loss could see it slide from there.
Key players in the Bloods squad include Chloe Langley, Sarah Nash and Abbey Grindal.
After a breakthrough win at home against Maryborough in round three, Storm was beaten at Golden Square and then by the formidable Kangaroo Flat line-up.
Storm coach Steph Freemantle will be keen to see a lift in defensive pressure across all thirds of the court and all match.
Kyneton and Maryborough clash at the later time of 3.20pm at Kyneton Showgrounds.
The Tigers have not won since a 38-31 victory against Golden Square in the first round.
Key players in the Tylah Marchbank-coached Kyneton team include Michelle Fletcher, Tegan Beckerley, and Brooke, Jessica and Rachelle Mangan.
Maryborough played brilliant netball to beat Golden Square at Barkers Oval in Princes Park last round.
A 46-32 victory denied Golden Square’s bid for long-awaited consecutive wins.
Magpies’ coach Alicia Cassidy will be keen to see more of last week’s confidence and ferocity at the contest.
It’s a rest for Sandhurst’s A-grade players, but the maroon and blue will take on Castlemaine in the lower grades at Camp Reserve.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 180 per cent, 18 points; Gisborne 18, 137; Sandhurst 196, 16; Eaglehawk 97, 12; South Bendigo 78, 12; Maryborough 69, 8; Kyneton 63, 8; Strathfieldsaye 74, 4; Golden Square 60, 4.
The match between Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square will be played as a stand-alone fixture on May 22 at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
Written by Nathan Dole