A FORMIDABLE attack led by Gabe Richards and Ruby Barkmeyer capped the Bendigo FNL’s open netball victory against Ovens and Murray in Saturday’s inter-league match at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
It was a star-studded team of premiership winners and league best and fairest winners who wore the blue and gold which was coached by Gisborne’s dual premiership-winning coach in Tarryn Rymer.
Several members of the team had also represented Bendigo Strikers in the Victorian Netball League and in Barkmeyer’s case been part of Suncorp Super Netball.
A closely-fought first quarter ended with Bendigo leading by six goals.
From there the blue and gold took control through the mid-court as captain Chelsea Sartori and Kangaroo Flat team-mate Ash Ryan were to the fore.
Both have earnt the Betty Thompson Medal as league fairest and best.
Sartori did so in 2023 and ’24, and Ryan as an Eaglehawk player seven seasons ago.
With Richards and Barkmeyer teaming brilliantly in the goal circle the Bendigo FNL charged to an 83-49 victory against many of the best from the border.
Defensive options for Bendigo included Kirby Elliott and Charlee Kemp who have starred for Gisborne in recent seasons.
Big-game experience is also what Sandhurst’s Sophie Shoebridge and Meg Williams brought to the court as both have been premiership winners.
The Bendigo FNL team included Tilly Shepherd from Gisborne, and Kangaroo Flat’s Abbey Ryan.
Superb play by Barkmeyer earnt the best on court medal.
The Kangaroo Flat gun was best on court in the team’s grand final victory on the QEO last September.
Fans watched thrilling finishes to the 17-and-under and 15-and-under netball matches between Bendigo and Ovens and Murray.
Both games ended in one-goal wins for O and M’s rising stars.
The 17-and-under game ended in a 47-46 result.
The Bendigo team which is co-coached by Sharni McPherson and Nikki Donnollen will now work toward Region Association Championships.
The Bendigo FNL 17-under representative team:
Golden Square: Anya Basilewsky, Rachael Flood, Scout Hayes, Juliet Hogan, Lily Wise.
Kangaroo Flat: Peyton Chambers, Alexis Manson.
Sandhurst: Eve Grant, Maycee Rinaldi.
Strathfieldsaye: Lexie Fennell, Sophie McDermott, Ady Nielson, Eden Pollard, Chloe Tweed.
In the 15-and-under match, Bendigo faced a six-goal deficit a couple of times, but fought back brilliantly.
At a minute to play, Bendigo was down by three goals.
Ovens and Murray held on for a 36-35 victory against the Steph Freemantle-coached Bendigo.
The Bendigo FNL’s 15-and-under representative squad:
Castlemaine: Piper Fynch.
Golden Square: Regan Hay, Ava Hope, Maddison Ryan.
Sandhurst: Alana Borchard, Elle Gilchrist, Harper Gordon, Evie Gretgrix, Ellie Macumber, Sienna Raco.
South Bendigo: Mia Smith.
· Training partners are Sandhurst’s Alicia Crowley and Ruby Crowley, and Lily McKee from South Bendigo.
The squad will also play at regional championship level later in the season.
