Round 11 Netball Review | Kangaroos defeat long-time nemesis again
FOR the first time in many A-grade netball seasons, Kangaroo Flat has gone two-up against Sandhurst in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL action.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos netted a ninth consecutive victory as they outplayed Sandhurst under Friday night light’s at Dower Park to tip off the 11th round.
Despite the chilly conditions the match between two of the competition’s long-time powerhouses drew many fans to the Kangaroos’ court.
Led by the play of Ash Ryan in mid-court and Ruby Barkmeyer in attack it was Kangaroo Flat which scored a 63-48 victory.
Despite the defeat the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst held second place on the ladder.
Strong defence was a highlight of Gisborne’s home-court win against Eaglehawk at Gardiner Reserve.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne had surged to a 29-goal lead by the last change as it held the Two Blues to just nine goals in the opening three quarters.
Eaglehawk doubled its score in the final term, but it was the premier of the past two seasons which recorded a 53-18 victory.
For the second time this season, Strathfieldsaye took the points against Golden Square.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm won 39-30 on Golden Square’s court in Wade Street.
Strathfieldsaye coach Jess Mangan and Emmie Banfield were superb in defence against the Teigan Redwood team in blue and gold.
It was a bye for South Bendigo in A-grade, but the Bloods played Castlemaine in all other grades at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street.
A highlight of the day was South Bendigo coach Lauren Bowles on court for her 200th match in the Bendigo FNL.
Bowles had played 189 matches for Kangaroo Flat before a long and successful stint as player and coach with White Hills.
A multiple premiership-winning coach with the Demons, Bowles is in her first season as coach of the Bloods.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 209 per cent, 36 points; Sandhurst 165, 28; Gisborne 123, 24; South Bendigo 79, 18; Eaglehawk 74, 14; Strathfieldsaye 61, 8; Golden Square 62, 4.
Teams take a break next weekend as the Bendigo FNL will play the Victorian Amateur Football Association on Sunday at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
In the 12th round on July 19 it will be Sandhurst against South Bendigo at the QEO.
Golden Square takes on the neighbouring Kangaroo Flat on the Bulldogs’ court in Wade Street.
Strathfieldsaye will be back home at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to face Eaglehawk.
It’s a bye for Gisborne in A-grade, but the Bulldogs will play Castlemaine in all other netball grades at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Bendigo FNL netball round 11 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 50 d Sandhurst 38, Gisborne 60 d Eaglehawk 35, Golden Square 52 d Strathfieldsaye 36, South Bendigo 76 d Castlemaine 21.
B-grade:
Kangaroo Flat 54 d Sandhurst 31, Gisborne 68 d Eaglehawk 26, Golden Square 34 lt Strathfieldsaye 62, South Bendigo 68 d Castlemaine 38.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 42 d Sandhurst 33, Gisborne 67 d Eaglehawk 29, Golden Square 40 lt Strathfieldsaye 51, South Bendigo 83 d Castlemaine 13.
17-and-under:
Kangaroo Flat 33 lt Sandhurst 55, Gisborne 52 d Eaglehawk 35, Golden Square 50 lt Strathfieldsaye 53, South Bendigo 31 lt Castlemaine 43.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 11 rounds:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 147 per cent, 40 points; Gisborne 155, 38; Sandhurst 144, 30; South Bendigo 108, 24; Strathfieldsaye 87, 20; Eaglehawk 80, 12; Castlemaine 61, 8; Golden Square 66, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 208 per cent, 44 points; Kangaroo Flat 126, 36; South Bendigo 104, 28; Sandhurst 121, 24; Strathfieldsaye 109, 24; Golden Square 78, 12; Eaglehawk 73, 8; Castlemaine 46, 0.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 197 per cent, 44 points; Sandhurst 160, 32; Strathfieldsaye 124, 32; Kangaroo Flat 161, 28; South Bendigo 117, 20; Golden Square 93, 12; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Castlemaine 16, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 167 per cent, 44 points; Golden Square 175, 32; Strathfieldsaye 149, 32; Gisborne 131, 28; Kangaroo Flat 75, 18; Castlemaine 71, 12; Eaglehawk 66, 6; South Bendigo 42, 4.
