WEEK 2 FINALS NETBALL REVIEW | Kangaroos leap into another A-grade netball decider

KANGAROO Flat leapt into another Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball grand final after a pulsating victory against Sandhurst in Saturday’s second semi-final.

The Kangaroos and Dragons played out a great match at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

An unbeaten run by the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat included wins against Sandhurst by 10 and 15 goals in rounds four and 11.

The Kangaroos had a rest on the first weekend of the finals where Sandhurst scored a 46-35 victory against Gisborne in the qualifying final.

It was goal-for-goal throughout a lot of the second semi-final between the Roos and Dragons.

At the final siren the Kangaroos were up 52-49.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst will now work to gain another chance to play the Roos in the grand final when it takes on Gisborne in this Saturday’s preliminary final.

Premier of the past two seasons, Gisborne’s “big game” experience became a crucial factor against South Bendigo in Sunday’s first semi-final.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne was determined to stay in the premiership race, but faced an opponent which had beaten it in the ninth round by two goals.

A South Bendigo team coached by Lauren Bowles started the finals campaign by winning the elimination final against Eaglehawk by 19 goals.

In the first semi it was Gisborne which handled the cold and wet conditions the better.

A 68-42 victory for the red, white and blue set up another showdown with Sandhurst to decide who will progress to the season’s biggest match.

In the A-reserve competition, South Bendigo stayed in the premiership race as it won the first semi-final against Gisborne by three goals.

A 47-44 win by the Bloods meant it would progress to a preliminary final clash with Sandhurst.

The maroon and blue will be on the rebound from a 10-goal loss to Kangaroo Flat.

In B-grade, Strathfieldsaye dominated the first semi against South Bendigo.

Storm surged to a 42-29 victory in the wet conditions.

Strathfieldsaye will now play Gisborne in the preliminary final.

The Bulldogs went down, 36-39 in a second semi-final clash with Kangaroo Flat.

It was a memorable day for the Roos who won three of the four second semi-finals they contested.

A 20-goal win by Sandhurst against South Bendigo in the B-reserve first semi-final meant the season for the maroon and blue would roll on.

Sandhurst will now face Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s preliminary final.

The Kangaroos will be aiming to rebound from a 21-goal loss in the second semi-final clash with Gisborne.

In the 17-and-under competition, Strathfieldsaye made its way to the preliminary final.

Storm dominated the first semi-final against Gisborne to record a 50-30 victory.

It will be Strathfieldsaye against Golden Square in next Saturday’s match.

The blue and gold played a closely-fought second semi-final against Sandhurst.

At the final siren it was the Dragons who led 39-34 to seal a grand final berth.

Six of the league’s eight clubs will feature in next Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo’s View Street.

Bendigo FNL netball first semi-finals scoreboard:

A-grade: Gisborne 68 d South Bendigo 42.

A-reserve: South Bendigo 47 d Gisborne 44.

B-grade: Strathfieldsaye 42 d South Bendigo 29.

B-reserve: Sandhurst 46 d South Bendigo 26.

17-and-under: Strathfieldsaye 50 d Gisborne 30.

Bendigo FNL netball second semi-finals scoreboard:

A-grade: Kangaroo Flat 52 d Sandhurst 49.

A-reserve: Kangaroo Flat 48 d Sandhurst 38.

B-grade: Kangaroo Flat 39 d Gisborne 36.

B-reserve: Gisborne 48 d Kangaroo Flat 27.

17-and-under: Sandhurst 39 d Golden Square 34.

Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval, View Street, Bendigo:

17-and-under at 10am: Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye.

A-reserve at 2pm: Sandhurst v South Bendigo.

A-grade at 3.20pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.