GOLDEN Square scored the last two goals of the game to win a nail-biter against Gisborne by one in the Bendigo A-grade netball match of the round on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Square got out of jail late to win 44-43 at home in what was a gutsy victory given its depth was tested with the unavailability of Abbey and Ash Ryan and defender Meg Gilbert (shoulder) out injured.
“We brought in a couple of girls from A-reserve. Kath Graham was one of those and she slotted in really well at wing defence,” Square’s Jody Richards said.
The Golden Square side also included last year’s premiership captain and star defender Allira Hammond, who has been playing with Cohuna this season, but Richards indicated Square would be qualifying her for finals.
Gabe Richards shot the winning goal for Golden Square – one of 29 for the match for the star shooter.
The win in what was the closest game of the season so far was Golden Square’s eighth in a row, and exacted some revenge for its three-goal defeat to Gisborne in round three in what was the last time the reigning premier was beaten.
The one-goal loss cost Gisborne, which is now 5-5, the chance of breaking back into the top five.
• Top side Sandhurst dominated the second half to pull away from Maryborough at Barkers Oval.
The Magpies led by one at half-time, 18-17, but after a spirited start the home side couldn’t back it up in the second half, with the Dragons lifting to win 40-29.
The Dragons scored 12 goals – including eight to goal attack Kelsey Sartori – without a miss during the third quarter when they took the upper hand.
• Last year’s runners-up Strathfieldsaye is in the top five for the first time this season as it kept Castlemaine winless.
The Storm won its third match in a row with its 67-34 victory at Flight Centre Park in which it jumped from sixth to fourth, while the Magpies have now lost 32-straight games.
• Kyneton produced its highest score for two seasons with a comfortable 64-36 win over South Bendigo at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The victory squared the Tigers’ ledger at 5-5 and they are now just percentage outside the top five.
• Kangaroo Flat bounced back from its first loss of the season to notch a 46-37 victory over Eaglehawk at Bendigo Mazda Oval in an almost identical scoreline to their round two clash.