SANDHURST will turn up the heat when it plays Gisborne in this Saturday’s 17th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Two of the league’s greatest rivals will be keen to play well as they will meet in the qualifying final.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst has home-court advantage at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street when match of the day starts at 2.30pm.
When these teams met in round eight it was the Dragons who won 44-40 on Gisborne’s court at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve.
Sandhurst dominated last Saturday’s play at Strathfieldsaye’s at Triple M Park to win by 66 goals.
It was 88-26 at the final siren of the Storm and Dragons clash.
Gisborne poured in 75 goals against Broadford at Gardiner Reserve.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne put in a strong defensive performance to keep the Kangaroos to a tally of 11 goals.
Round 17 on Saturday begins with a 2pm showdown between Broadford and Castlemaine at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Kangaroos played well to finish within 14 goals of the Magpies at The Railway Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve in round eight.
Being on its court will lift Broadford’s hopes of a breakthrough victory.
The Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine will be determined not to be part of an historic win by the Kangaroos.
Another mob of Kangaroos in Kangaroo Flat will be on its court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park to take on South Bendigo.
The clash between first and fourth also features sibling rival as Kangaroos’ coach Jayden Cowling pits his skill against a South Bendigo team coached by his older sister, Lauren Bowles.
In round eight the Kangaroos marked one of their best performances of the season in 81-48 result on the Bloods’ court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
As the Roos had the bye last round the Bloods won the Fluoro For Neuro match against Golden Square at Harry Trott Oval by five goals.
A top contest between the red and white against the blue and gold ended in a 65-60 win for the hosts.
First pass in the Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye match at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street will be at 3.20pm.
It’s a must-win match for Strathfieldsaye to keep finals hopes alive.
In round eight the Jess Mangan-coached Storm won 55-47 at Triple M Park.
The Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square will have gained a lot of confidence from the Bendigo Health Round match played against South Bendigo last Saturday.
Fifth in the premiership race, Eaglehawk has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition after 16 rounds:
Kangaroo Flat 201 per cent, 56 points; Sandhurst 173, 48; Gisborne 186, 44; South Bendigo 126, 36; Eaglehawk 101, 28; Strathfieldsaye 87, 24; Golden Square 93, 16; Castlemaine 43, 4; Broadford 27, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 16 rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 151 per cent, 48 points; Kangaroo Flat 153, 42; Gisborne 140, 32; Sandhurst 107, 28; Eaglehawk 97, 26; Strathfieldsaye 74, 12; Castlemaine 60, 8; Golden Square 63, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 222 per cent, 56 points; South Bendigo 135, 48; Strathfieldsaye 125, 44; Kangaroo Flat 129, 38; Sandhurst 115, 28; Golden Square 86, 20; Eaglehawk 86, 14; Broadford 55, 8; Castlemaine 42, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 180 per cent, 52 points; South Bendigo 150, 48; Gisborne 182, 46; Strathfieldsaye 130, 38; Sandhurst 120, 32; Eaglehawk 90, 20; Golden Square 96, 16; Castlemaine 52, 4; Broadford 22, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 184 per cent, 48 points; Golden Square 175, 44; Strathfieldsaye 166, 44; Kangaroo Flat 119, 30; Eaglehawk 96, 30; Gisborne 123, 28; South Bendigo 96, 24; Castlemaine 48, 4; Broadford 25, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 310 per cent, 44 points; Golden Square 197, 36; South Bendigo 95, 28; Eaglehawk 86, 24; Strathfieldsaye 84, 12; Kangaroo Flat 56, 8; Castlemaine 36, 0.
