TWO of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s best A-grade netball teams, Gisborne and Sandhurst meet in this Saturday’s eighth round.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has home-court advantage at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve when the match tips off at 2.30pm.
Both line-ups take winning form into a crucial contest as they are locked on win-loss records of five one.
Gisborne is on a five-match winning streak since a three-goal loss on Kangaroo Flat’s court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park on Easter Saturday.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst had taken the points in three consecutive matches until a 50-60 loss to Kangaroo Flat at Queen Elizabeth Oval in round five.
South Bendigo faces a massive test against Kangaroo Flat this round.
The Bloods will be on their home court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street to take on Kangaroo Flat.
It’s an early start as the A-grade teams take to the court at 10am.
Another chapter in the sibling rivalry between respective coaches, South Bendigo’s Lauren Bowles and Kangaroo Flat’s Jayden Cowling will be played out.
The Bloods tuned up for this contest by scoring a 15-goal win at Golden Square last Saturday in the Indigenous Round marquee match as the Kangaroos had the bye.
Kangaroo Flat has not played since May 16 when it marked an 82-44 win against Golden Square at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
Several of the Kangaroos’ stars were on court representing Bendigo against the Ovens and Murray at the QEO a week later.
Both teams have plenty of scoring power, but it’s in mid-court where the Kangaroos are likely to seize control.
Castlemaine or Broadford will break their winless run when they play on the Magpies’ court at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve from 2pm.
Been a tough run for the Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine which was on the end of a 56-33 defeat at Eaglehawk last round.
The Magpies were back on the court after a bye.
Broadford faced an attacking onslaught from Gisborne last round.
Although the Jaimie Hooper-coached Kangaroos were on their court at Harley Hammond Reserve they could not halt Gisborne racing to an 89-13 victory.
Strathfieldsaye is back on its court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on Golden Square from 2.30pm.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm faced Sandhurst at the QEO last Sunday.
A win-loss tally of three-three has earnt Strathfieldsaye fifth place on the ladder.
Golden Square was beaten on its court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street by South Bendigo.
The Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square will be desperate to draw level with Storm on 12 points.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 220 per cent, 24 points; Gisborne 204, 20; Sandhurst 163, 20; South Bendigo 137, 20; Strathfieldsaye 111, 12; Eaglehawk 90.9, 8; Golden Square 90.3, 8; Castlemaine 36, 0; Broadford 27, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after seven rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 148, 24; Kangaroo Flat 158, 16; Gisborne 141, 16; Sandhurst 113, 12; Eaglehawk 90, 12; Strathfieldsaye 66, 4; Golden Square 64, 4; Castlemaine 65, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 205 per cent, 24 points; South Bendigo 159, 24; Kangaroo Flat 174, 20; Strathfieldsaye 114, 16; Sandhurst 122, 12; Golden Square 111, 12; Eaglehawk 81, 4; Castlemaine 36, 0; Broadford 32, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 198 per cent, 24 points; South Bendigo 172, 24; Gisborne 205, 20; Sandhurst 130, 16; Strathfieldsaye 124, 12; Golden Square 97, 8; Eaglehawk 84, 8; Castlemaine 37, 0; Broadford 21, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 223 per cent, 24 points; Strathfieldsaye 238, 20; Sandhurst 183, 20; Gisborne 144, 14; Eaglehawk 87, 14; South Bendigo 86, 12; Kangaroo Flat 107, 8; Castlemaine 37, 0; Broadford 19, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 337 per cent, 20 points; Golden Square 189, 16; Eaglehawk 90, 12; South Bendigo 87, 12; Strathfieldsaye 76, 4; Kangaroo Flat 46, 4; Castlemaine 50, 0.
