Match Previews | JUST as it was a year ago, Gisborne and Sandhurst meet in the A-grade netball match on Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL preliminary final day at Queen Elizabeth Oval this Saturday.

Last September it was the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst which beat the Bulldogs to advance to the grand final.

It also signals the finale to an intense rivalry built up across many seasons as Gisborne transfers to play in the Ballarat FNL from ’27.

For this preliminary final the Dragons are feeling the heat as the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has won the past two showdowns with the maroon and blue.

Gisborne fought on for a 55-52 win against Sandhurst in the qualifying final played on the neutral court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

When these teams last met on the QEO court it was Gisborne which beat the tenant, 44-40 in the 17th round.

It was the same scores, but different result in round eight when Sandhurst took the points at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval at Gardiner Reserve.

After its success in the second semi-final, Gisborne faced the unbeaten Kangaroo Flat in the second semi-final.

Click here to read the full article