ROUND 9 NETBALL REVIEW | Bloods score crucial win against Gisborne
SOUTH Bendigo scored a crucial A-grade netball victory against Gisborne in Saturday’s round nine action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Bloods teamed superbly on their court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street to win 51-49.
It was an 18-goal turnaround from when the teams met in round two on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve.
On that occasion the reigning premier won 51-35.
The Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo marked its best win of the ’25 campaign.
The Bloods again drew level on 14 premiership points with Eaglehawk and gained a 10-point buffer on the sixth-placed Golden Square.
Eaglehawk could not halt Kangaroo Flat’s charge to another big victory on the Roos’ court in Dower Park.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won 74-33 and have a healthy tally of 225 per cent from eight consecutive victories.
Was a tough afternoon for the Jannelle Hobbs-coached Hawks who will now focus on next Saturday’s home game against South Bendigo at Canterbury Park.
The Hawks and Bloods drew when they met under the Queen Elizabeth Oval lights on Anzac Day.
In Saturday’s other round nine fixture, Sandhurst played Strathfieldsaye at the QEO.
Details from the Dragons and Storm showdown were not available.
It was a bye for Golden Square in A-grade, but the blue and gold played Castlemaine in all other grades on the Bulldogs’ court in Wade Street.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition, pending result from Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye:
Kangaroo Flat 225 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 166, 20; Gisborne 106, 16; Eaglehawk 77.4, 14; South Bendigo 77.1, 14; Golden Square 64, 4; Strathfieldsaye 62, 4.
In next Saturday’s round 10 action, Eaglehawk and South Bendigo play on the Borough’s court in Canterbury Park.
Sandhurst and Golden Square meet on Ron Best Memorial Shield day at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Strathfieldsaye and Gisborne clash at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
It’s a bye for Kangaroo Flat in A-grade, but the rest of the Roos’ teams will make their way down the Calder to play at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Round nine scoreboard:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 37 lt Gisborne 63, Kangaroo Flat 65 d Eaglehawk 31, Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye not supplied, Golden Square 38 lt Castlemaine 50.
B-grade:
South Bendigo 39 lt Gisborne 68, Kangaroo Flat 36 d Eaglehawk 34, Sandhurst 41 lt Strathfieldsaye 44, Golden Square 71 d Castlemaine 42.
B-reserve:
South Bendigo 29 lt Gisborne 54, Kangaroo Flat 62 d Eaglehawk 38, Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye not supplied, Golden Square 81 d Castlemaine 17.
17-and-under:
South Bendigo 32 lt Gisborne 76, Kangaroo Flat 41 d Eaglehawk 37, Sandhurst 56 d Strathfieldsaye 48, Golden Square 55 d Castlemaine 33.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after nine rounds:
A-reserve, pending Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye result:
Kangaroo Flat 149 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 147, 30; Sandhurst 152, 26; Strathfieldsaye 95.9, 16; South Bendigo 95, 16; Eaglehawk 81, 12; Castlemaine 65, 8; Golden Square 64, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 213 per cent, 36 points; Kangaroo Flat 115, 28; Sandhurst 130, 20; South Bendigo 96, 20; Strathfieldsaye 110, 16; Golden Square 85, 12; Eaglehawk 76, 8; Castlemaine 45, 0.
B-reserve, pending Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye result:
Gisborne 201 per cent, 36 points; Sandhurst 184, 28; Strathfieldsaye 138, 24; Kangaroo Flat 136, 20; Golden Square 106, 12; South Bendigo 96, 12; Eaglehawk 68, 8; Castlemaine 18, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 177 per cent, 36 points; Golden Square 211, 32; Strathfieldsaye 163, 24; Gisborne 135, 24; Kangaroo Flat 73, 14; Castlemaine 65, 8; Eaglehawk 64, 6; South Bendigo 36, 0.
