GOLDEN Square have had its first win of the BFNL A-grade netball season with a thrilling two-goal victory against Strathfieldsaye on Saturday.
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The reigning premiers established a five-goal lead at half time and had to withstand a determined second-half challenge from their 2015 season grand final rival.
The Storm were able to bridge the margin to four goals at three quarter time and again outscored the Bulldogs in the final term 12-10, but were left an agonising two points short at the final whistle.
It was a memorable win on a notable occasion for dual Bulldogs A-grade premiership player Belinda Pinner, who was playing her 250th game for Golden Square.
Young star Abbey Ryan and Lucy Morcom in goals for the Bulldogs enjoyed a great tussle with the Storm's Claudia Powell and Elyse Morgan.
A loss would have seen the Bulldogs slip to 0-3, with both teams now boasting similar 1-2 records.
Sandhurst occupies top spot on the league ladder after a 32-12 win against South Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The Dragons next week take on Gisborne, which became Kangaroo Flat's third victim for the season.
The Roos were fast out of the blocks in their 51-32 win at Bendigo Mazda Oval, leading by six goals at quarter time and 12 goals at half time.
The Bulldogs had the better of the contest on the scoreboard in the third quarter, but could only bridge the margin to 11 goals by quarter's end.
Kangaroo Flat capped a dominating performnace by outscoring their 2015 elimination final rival 14-6.
Young gun Ruby Barkmeyer scored 36 of the Roos' goals, including nine from 12 attempts in the first quarter.
Kyneton joined Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat as the remaining undefeated teams with a 32 goal win against Castlemaine.
Goal attack Michelle Fletcher and goal shooter Hayley Page combined brilliantly for the tenacious Tigers, who asserted their dominance from the outset in a 16-3 opening quarter blitz.
Maryborough returned to the winner's list with a tense three goal win against Eaglehawk at Barkers Oval.
The Magpies were forced to come from behind in a see-sawing contest. They trailed by three goals at quarter time and and by one goal at half time before drawing level at three quarter time.
Goal shooter Jordan Macilwain was cool under pressure in the final term, slotting eight of her team's 10 goals, giving her 27 for the game. Defender Tayla Callaway also shone for the winners.