Bendigo Advertiser | GOLDEN Square's fighting spirit shone in Sunday's victory against Strathfieldsaye Storm in the Bendigo Football Netball League's A-grade netball clash.
Fans of both clubs were treated to a great contest.
Storm made a brilliant start, but Square hit back to lead 12-9 at quarter-time.
At half-time Square's unbeaten record was under threat as Storm led 27-21.
Halfway through the third quarter and Golden Square was up by three.
Centre Belinda Pinner, goalshooter Gabe Richards and goal attack Kath Basilewsky all played pivotal roles in the fightback and then surging away to win 48-39.
Richards scored a match-high 42 goals as Abbey Ryan and Kath Basilewsky added three apiece.
After being on the bench in the first half, Basilewsky's experience proved decisive as the game went on.
Storm's goalers Cara Bastian, 24, and Caitlyn Hamilton, 15, worked hard against a strong defence.
Golden Square coach Lia Marrone said the 10th round match was a "really good test" on Storm's court.
"Storm's pace is a strength and they played well, especially at the start of the match and toward the end of the second quarter," Marrone said.
"A key for us to get back into the game was to slow it down, get some intercepts or turnovers and get in and win rebounds in both cirlces (attack and defence)."
Pinner's non-stop run through the centre was superb over four quarters.
Golden Square won three of the five netball matches played at Flight Centre Park.
A-reserve: Golden Square won 60-24. B-grade: Strathfieldsaye won 38-33. B-reserve: Strathfieldsaye 36 d Golden Square 28. 17-and-under: Golden Square 44 d Strathfieldsaye 39.
In Saturday's play, Gisborne dominated on its court against Castlemaine at Gardiner Reserve.
The A-grade match ended in a 40-goal win for Gisborne.
The red, white and blue won the A-reserve clash, 45-30.
A closely-fought B-grade match ended in a 42-39 victory for Castlemaine.
The Magpies soared to a 44-18 win in the B-reserve match.
Scores from the 17-and-under match at Gisborne were not available.
Round 10 will be completed next Saturday.
Match of the day for A-grade will be at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat's Dower Park where the Roos take on Maryborough in a clash between fourth and sixth on the ladder.
QEO co-tenants Sandhurst and South Bendigo do battle.
Kyneton will be determined to keep the heat on the fifth-placed Storm when it plays Eaglehawk at Tigerland.
