BFNL Round 13 Netball | Defence a key as Gisborne beats Kangaroos
DEFENSIVE pressure was high as Gisborne beat Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s 13th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The contest between two of the league’s top teams was played at a finals-type intensity on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve.
A brilliant opening quarter ended with Gisborne in front, 11-3.
By half-time the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne led 20-9.
The Kangaroos bounced back to win the third term, 9-6.
Although the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won the last, 7-6, it was Gisborne which claimed a 32-25 victory and the premiership points.
The result strengthened Gisborne’s chances of a top-three finish.
Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Sandhurst was too strong for Strathfieldsaye at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached reigning premier led 21-14 at quarter-time and then upped its play to win the second term, 19-10.
Strathfieldsaye kept working hard, but Sandhurst’s strong defence and ability to force intercepts was a key factor.
By the final whistle the maroon and blue led 84-41 against the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm.
Castlemaine took on a vastly-improved Eaglehawk at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
The Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine claimed a 44-35 win against the Hawks.
Although it did not take the points, the Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk showed it will be no pushover in the last five rounds of the home-and-away series.
Kyneton kept the heat on the fifth-placed South Bendigo by scoring a 59-30 win on Maryborough’s court at Princes Park.
The Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers teamed superbly against the Jordan Macilwain-coached Magpies.
South Bendigo passed the 90-goal mark in its clash with Golden Square at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Bloods led 24-13 at quarter-time and 44-21 by the main break.
In the second half South Bendigo won the quarters, 24-8 and 25-5 to complete a 93-26 victory against the Benita Swatton-coached blue and gold.
Round 13 scoreboard:
A-grade:
Gisborne 32 d Kangaroo Flat 25, Sandhurst 84 d Strathfieldsaye 41, Castlemaine 44 d Eaglehawk 35, Maryborough 30 lt Kyneton 59, South Bendigo 93 d Golden Square 26.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 216 per cent, 52 points; Gisborne 177, 44; Castlemaine 129, 38; Kangaroo Flat 161, 36; South Bendigo 117, 26; Kyneton 96, 22; Strathfieldsaye 92, 22; Eaglehawk 73, 12; Maryborough 55, 8; Golden Square 34, 0.
There are several big games in next Saturday’s round 14 action.
Kangaroo Flat meets Castlemaine on the Kangaroos’ court at Dower Park.
Sandhurst takes on past co-tenant South Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Eaglehawk is home at Canterbury Park to play Strathfieldsaye.
Kyneton and Gisborne clash at Kyneton Showgrounds.
Golden Square hosts Maryborough at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Round 13 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 43 d Kangaroo Flat 40, Sandhurst 44 d Strathfieldsaye 39, Castlemaine 50 lt Eaglehawk 51, Kyneton bye, South Bendigo 63 d Golden Square 22.
B-grade:
Gisborne 53 d Kangaroo Flat 47, Sandhurst 76 d Strathfieldsaye 35, Castlemaine 34 lt Eaglehawk 62, Maryborough 32 lt Kyneton 61, South Bendigo 46 d Golden Square 34.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 35 lt Kangaroo Flat 49, Sandhurst 48 d Strathfieldsaye 36, Castlemaine 16 lt Eaglehawk 53, Maryborough 22 lt Kyneton 36, South Bendigo 34 lt Golden Square 36.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 43 d Kangaroo Flat 30, Sandhurst 47 d Strathfieldsaye 30, Castlemaine 51 d Eaglehawk 28, Maryborough 74 d Kyneton 16, South Bendigo 23 lt Golden Square 77.
Ladders after 13 rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 190 per cent, 52 points; Sandhurst 178, 48; South Bendigo 110, 36; Kangaroo Flat 115, 28; Castlemaine 97, 28; Strathfieldsaye 84, 24; Eaglehawk 76, 24; Kyneton 62, 14; Golden Square 55, 6.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 197 per cent, 52 points; Gisborne 166, 44; Kangaroo Flat 131, 40; South Bendigo 103, 30; Strathfieldsaye 95.9, 26; Eaglehawk 95.2, 26; Golden Square 88, 20; Kyneton 82, 14; Castlemaine 56, 6; Maryborough 47, 2.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 225 per cent, 48 points; Kangaroo Flat 187, 48; Gisborne 137, 36; Eaglehawk 125, 32; Strathfieldsaye 123, 32; South Bendigo 110, 24; Golden Square 70, 16; Castlemaine 60, 16; Kyneton 44, 8; Maryborough 42, 0.
17-and-under:
Gisborne 188 per cent, 52 points; Sandhurst 187, 48; Golden Square 159, 36; Maryborough 134, 34; Strathfieldsaye 110, 30; Castlemaine 101, 22; Kangaroo Flat 103, 18; Eaglehawk 65, 12; South Bendigo 51, 8; Kyneton 19, 0.
