BFNL Semi-Final Netball Review | Castlemaine ends Roos’ run in thriller
CASTLEMAINE bounced Kangaroo Flat from the A-grade netball premiership race on Sunday.
The Magpies swooped for a 42-41 victory in the first semi-final at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Last season’s runner-up and third at the end of the home-and-away series, Kangaroo Flat was beaten in consecutive weeks in the finals series.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos were on the rebound from a six-goal loss to Gisborne in the qualifying final.
Castlemaine had won the elimination final against South Bendigo by 23 goals.
The Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine have moved to week three of the finals series where they take on Gisborne in the preliminary final.
In pursuit of a fifth consecutive A-grade premiership, Sandhurst showed it’s going to be extremely difficult to stop as it won Saturday’s second semi-final against Gisborne.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst fired up for a 44-38 victory.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne worked hard, but the maroon and blue was able to answer a spirited challenge.
Second semi-final day featured four matches between Sandhurst and Gisborne.
The Dragons won the A-reserve match by 11 goals, and the 17-and-under contest by three goals.
Gisborne marked a 48-46 win against the maroon and blue in B-grade.
In B-reserve, Sandhurst took on Kangaroo Flat where the Dragons won a closely-fought match, 45-43.
Fans were treated to dramatic finishes to Sunday’s first semi-finals.
In A-reserve, Kangaroo Flat beat South Bendigo by a goal.
The Kangaroos also took out the B-grade clash with Strathfieldsaye by two goals.
A tough day for Strathfieldsaye Storm included a five-goal loss to Gisborne in B-reserve.
Golden Square’s rising stars stayed in the premiership race when they scored a 48-41 win against Strathfieldsaye in the 17-and-under match.
Second semi-final scoreboard:
A-grade: Sandhurst 44 d Gisborne 38.
A-reserve: Gisborne 33 lt Sandhurst 44.
B-grade: Sandhurst 46 lt Gisborne 48.
B-reserve: Sandhurst 45 d Kangaroo Flat 43.
17-and-under: Sandhurst 46 d Gisborne 43.
First semi-final scoreboard:
A-grade: Kangaroo Flat 41 lt Castlemaine 42.
A-reserve: Kangaroo Flat 38 d South Bendigo 37.
B-grade: Kangaroo Flat 49 d Strathfieldsaye 47.
B-reserve: Gisborne 39 d Strathfieldsaye 34.
17-and-under: Golden Square 48 d Strathfieldsaye 41.
Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:
A-grade at 3.20pm: Gisborne v Castlemaine.
A-reserve at 2pm: Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat.
B-grade at 12.40pm: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
17-and-under at 10am: Gisborne v Golden Square.
