Bendigo Advertiser | MARYBOROUGH kept finals hopes alive as it scored a stunning nine-goal victory in Saturday's A-grade netball match at Kangaroo Flat.
Needing a victory to stay in touch with the top five, Maryborough played brilliant netball across all four quarters on the court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
The Magpies won 49-40.
It had been many seasons since the Magpies had won an A-grade netball match at Kangaroo Flat.
A key player the past five seasons and in her first as playing coach of A-grade, Jordan MacIlwain had never won an A-grade match n the Kangaroos' court.
The Magpies were in control for most of the match.
"Every player worked hard and backed each other," Macilwain said.
"It was such an important game and the girls responded brilliantly."
Alicia Cassidy was outstanding in the centre against Roos' star Lauren Cowling.
"Alicia and Lauren both played great games," Macilwain said.
The Magpies' coach said defensive pressure and intercepts were a key to the victory.
Now level o wins with the fifth-placed Strathfieldsaye, Maryborough faces another big test next round against Gisborne.
The Borough will have home-court advantage at Barkers Trailers Oval in Princes Park.
In Saturday's other A-grade matches to complete round 10, Kyneton was pushed all the way by Eaglehawk.
Playing at Tigerland, Kyneton won a spirited contest with the Hawks by five goals.
Sandhurst was too strong for South Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The maroon and blue won 63-26.
Results from other grades played on Saturday:
A-reserve: Kangaroo Flat 59 d Maryborough 21, Kyneton 47 d Eaglehawk 21, Sandhurst 53 d South Bendigo 33.
B-grade: Kangaroo Flat 46 d Maryborough 12, Eaglehawk 42 d Kyneton 32, Sandhurst 40 d South Bendigo 35.
B-reserve: Kangaroo Flat bye, Kyneton 37 d Eaglehawk 26, Sandhurst 40 d South Bendigo 37.
17-and-under: Kangaroo Flat 85 d Maryborough 21, Kyneton 37 d Eaglehawk 31, Sandhurst 61 d South Bendigo 29.
After 10 rounds, the unbeaten Golden Square leads the A-grade ladder.
The red-hot attacks at Golden Square and Sandhurst have both passed the 500-goal mark.
A-grade ladder: Golden Square 178.8 per cent, 40 points; Sandhurst 157.2, 34; Gisborne 131.6, 26; Kangaroo Flat 142.6, 24; Strathfieldsaye 120.4, 20; Maryborough 111.6, 20; Kyneton 102.0, 20; Eaglehawk 54.8, 8; South Bendigo 55.9, 4; and Castlemaine 41.0, 0.
