Bendigo Advertiser | THE first draw in this season's A-grade action was played out when Gisborne took on Sandhurst in Saturday's seventh round of the Bendigo Football Netball League season.
A contest punctured by superb passes, goals and intercepts ended with scores locked on 38-all at Gisborne's Gardiner Reserve.
Sandhurst coach Carol Cathcart said there were many fine passages of play by both teams.
"It was a great match," Cathcart said.
"Both teams had their chances to score a winning goal in the final minute or two, but couldn't."
Cathcart said Sandhurst started slowly as Gisborne raced to a five-goal lead by quarter-time.
"For whatever reason, we just didn't start as well as we would have liked."
Sandhurst swung some positional moves at the first break.
Annie Cobbledick went to goal shooter, Stacey Rothacker went to centre, and Brooke Bolton to wing attack.
"Gisborne is a quality opponent and really strong in mid-court," Cathcart said.
"From five goals at quarter-time we were able to work our way back into the game.
"Being on the new court at Gisborne was a great experience," said Cathcart, who earlier in the week had been appointed the AFL Central Victoria Partnership and BFNL Manager.
"A match like Saturday's at Gisborne is great for the competition.
"It was a closely-fought match from start to finish.
"Although we are disappointed not to have taken all four points, this was a match we can learn a lot from," Cathcart said.
After next weekend's break for the Worksafe VCFL Country Championships, Sandhurst treks to Golden Square's MyJet Oval to take on the unbeaten Golden Square in the eighth round.
Golen Square seized control after an evenly-fought opening term at Eaglehawk's Canterbury Park.
The Amanda O'Neill-coached Two Blues started confidently on their court.
Golden Square led 11-9 at the first break and then dominated the second, 15-2.
Eaglehawk fought back to score nine goals in the third, but the blue and gold had all the answers.
It was deja vu in the final term as Golden Square won it, 20-3, and the match, 62-23.
Kangaroo Flat dominated its clash with Strathfieldsaye at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
The Storm had scored a confidence-lifting 12-goal win at Kyneton the previous round.
The Roos were ready from the first pass of the match with Strathfieldsaye.
By the final whistle the third-placed Kangaroo Flat had beaten Storm, 50-25.
Kyneton won every quarter on its way to a 30-goal victory at Castlemaine's Camp Reserve.
The Tigers led 14-7 at quarter-time of the clash on the Magpies' court.
Kyneton won the next three quarters 14-5, 12-6 and 19-11 on the way to a 59-29 victory.
The Maryborough Magpies chalked up their second win this season.
There were 96 goals scored in the match on the Queen Elizabeth Oval court as Maryborough beat South Bendigo, 59-37.
Most netballers take a break for this weekend’s Worksafe VCFL Country Championships.
The Bendigo Football Netball League season resumes on May 30 when round eight will be played.
Strathfieldsaye takes on Gisborne at Flight Centre Park, South Bendigo plays Castlemaine at the QEO, Golden Square hosts Sandhurst, Kyneton clashes with Kangaroo Flat at Kyneton Showgrounds, and Maryborough will take on Eaglehawk at Barkers Trailers Oval in Princes Park.
