EAGLEHAWK and Strathfieldsaye will eye a chance to grab the fifth rung on the A-grade netball ladder in Saturday’s 13th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Both teams start the day’s play in a logjam to decide fifth as Golden Square the Hawks and Storm are all locked on 16 points and separated by percentage.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk will be on its court at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park to take on South Bendigo from 2.30pm.
When these teams met on Anzac Day it was South Bendigo which scored a 58-52 win at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Hawks put in a great effort to finish within 12 goals of Kangaroo Flat in last Saturday’s match at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
A South Bendigo team coached by Lauren Bowles marked a 53-goal win against Castlemaine at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
A 40-goal win by Golden Square at home against Broadford meant the Teigan Redwood-coached Bulldogs moved to the fifth rung.
Massive test for the blue and gold this round against a strong Sandhurst line-up which is second on a nine-one record.
The Bulldogs and Dragons will play from 3.20pm on Ron Best Memorial Shield day.
In round four it was the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst which scored a 25-goal win against Golden Square in Pat Cronin Foundation Round played on May 2.
It’s been a lengthy break for Sandhurst which last played on June 27 at Broadford.
The maroon and blue had the league’s general bye on July 4 and club bye last round.
First of the A-grade matches on Saturday will be at 11.30am when Broadford hosts Kangaroo Flat at Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Jaimie Hooper-coached Broadford faces a huge test against the reigning premier.
Defensive pressure in all thirds of the court will be a key as Broadford works to halt the slick and accurate passing of a slick Kangaroo Flat line-up.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat is unbeaten in its quest for back-to-back premierships.
Castlemaine and Strathfieldsaye will play at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve from 3.20pm.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
The Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine was outplayed on South Bendiguo’s court last Saturday as Storm went down, 67-20 against Gisborne at Triple M Park.
Depending on other results a win for the Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye could put it back on the fifth rung by the end of the day.
Gisborne has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 198 per cent, 44 points; Sandhurst 185, 36; Gisborne 167, 32; South Bendigo 128, 28; Golden Square 102, 16; Eaglehawk 94, 16; Strathfieldsaye 88, 16; Castlemaine 42, 4; Broadford 30, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 12 rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 144 per cent, 36 points; Kangaroo Flat 148, 34; Gisborne 132, 24; Sandhurst 120, 24; Eaglehawk 95, 18; Strathfieldsaye 69, 8; Golden Square 64, 4; Castlemaine 60, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 199 per cent, 44 points;
South Bendigo 133, 32;
Strathfieldsaye 117, 28;
Kangaroo Flat 127, 26;
Sandhurst 123, 24;
Golden Square 93, 20;
Eaglehawk 83, 10;
Broadford 54, 8;
Castlemaine 45, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 161 per cent, 40 points;
Gisborne 164, 34;
South Bendigo 146, 32;
Sandhurst 145, 28;
Strathfieldsaye 116, 22;
Golden Square 106, 16; Eaglehawk 91, 16; Castlemaine 50, 4; Broadford 24, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 196 per cent, 40 points; Sandhurst 210, 32; Strathfieldsaye 163, 32; Kangaroo Flat 117, 26; Gisborne 116, 20; South Bendigo 94, 20; Eaglehawk 84, 18; Castlemaine 47, 4; Broadford 24, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 383 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 232, 28; South Bendigo 111, 24; Eaglehawk 74, 16; Strathfieldsaye 79, 8; Kangaroo Flat 65, 8; Castlemaine 35, 0.
