GISBORNE broke Sandhurst’s unbeaten run in Saturday’s 14th round of the Bendigo Football Netball League’s A-grade netball competition.

Despite missing several key players, both line-ups put on a superb showing on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve.

A top-quality contest ended in a 50-47 victory for Gisborne and ended Sandhurst’s run of 10 consecutive victories.

Wins by South Bendigo and Maryborough have kept the race for fifth place wide open.

On a day where it celebrated its 125th year, South Bendigo’s players shone against Golden Square.

A dramatic contest on the QEO court was decided in the final minutes as the Bloods fought to achieve a 39-38 result.

In their previous meeting, Golden Square won by three goals.

South needs a lot to go right, but a third win has put the team just four points behind the fifth-placed Golden Square.

Maryborough also kept the pressure on Square as it scored a 15-goal win at Strathfieldsaye.

The Magpies won a high-scoring contest on Storm’s court, 74-59.

Eaglehawk’s and Kangaroo Flat’s A-grade players had a rest because of forfeits by Kyneton and Castlemaine respectively.

In next Saturday’s play, Golden Square faces Kangaroo Flat at Wade Street; South Bendigo takes on Eaglehawk at the QEO; and Maryborough has a crucial battle with Gisborne at Princes Park.

Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst have a rest in A-grade, but Storm takes on Castlemaine in the lower grades at Camp Reserve, and the Dragons play Kyneton at the QEO.

Bendigo FNL A-grade netball ladder:

Sandhurst 48 points, 150 per cent; Eaglehawk 48, 128; Gisborne 44, 134; Kangaroo Flat 36, 117; Golden Square 28, 87; Maryborough 28, 85; South Bendigo 24, 79; Strathfieldsaye 12, 54.