The Roos kept the pressure on Sandhurst in second place with the 40-31 triumph, while also ending reigning premier Square’s hopes of a finals double-chance.

A tight first term ended with Flat ahead by three goals and the Roos bounded away in the second quarter to establish a 23-14 lead.

Rachel Mackenzie was superb in attack for Flat and Karly Bingham helped Janelle Hobbs’ team maintain its lead for the remainder of the match.

Castlemaine v Gisborne: A skilful encounter at Countrycars.com.au Oval saw Castlemaine come from three goals down at the last change to lead by two late in the last term.

Gisborne scrapped hard to level the scores at 57-57 before Castlemaine had the chance to seal a famous victory.

“We actually had the ball in the goal circle shooting as the time was called,” Castlemaine coach Kate Wastell said. 

“Which was disappointing because they also had their hand on the ball as our shooter was about to shoot, so it should’ve been a penalty but that obviously wasn’t called either.

“Both shooters from both teams shot at nearly 100 per cent. 

“Skill-wise it was a really good game from both sides.”

Goalers Kate Douglass (38 goals) and Tayla Williams (19) were Castlemaine’s best, while Annabel Stewart and Christine Harris scored 33 and 19 respectively.

Sandhurst v Maryborough: Sandhurst stayed a win clear of Kangaroo Flat with a straight-forward 48-33 victory against Maryborough.

The Magpies were in the match when trailing by two goals at half-time, but Sandhurst scored 12 goals to five in the third term to put the result beyond doubt.

Stratfieldsaye v South Bendigo: Strathfieldsaye moved four points clear of the bottom team South Bendigo after it defeated the red-and-white 51-26 yesterday.

Claire Herbert in defence proved difficult for South to get past, while Stephanie Goode was South Bendigo’s best.