KYNETON’S aim to stitch up a double chance for the A-grade finals took another crucial step in Saturday’s Bendigo Football Netball League clash with Strathfieldsaye Storm.

The third-placed Tigers withstood a spirited fightback from Storm to win 35-33.

It was Kyneton’s 12th  victory of the season and sixth on its court.

The only loss so far for the yellow and black at Kyneton Showgrounds was to Gisborne by three goals in round three.

Tigers’ coach Dean Erdman said the round 15 win against Strathfieldsaye was vital.

“We needed the points, no matter to keep holding our place in the top three.

“Strathfieldsaye Storm kept coming at us,” Erdman said.

“At times the margin was five, six or seven goals, but Storm finished really strongly.

“It was a bit of a scrap, mainly because of the defensive pressure put on both teams.

“As a club and team we were rapt to take the four points.

“We still have to win at least one of our last three games to be assured of a top-three finish and double chance in the finals,” said Erdman.

Kyneton’s best in the win against Storm were goalkeeper Laura Bennie and goal defence Jessica Seddon.

The coach said injuries and illness meant there were changes to most of Kyneton’s teams for Saturday’s matches.

“We had 10 players missing,” said Erdman.

“Our B-grade team was hardest hit, but still played well to be beaten by just three goals.”

Kyneton leads the B-grade ladder and B-reserve is fourth in the premiership race.

“To have three of four teams already qualify for the finals is a fantastic achievement for the club,” Erdman said.

The Tigers run to the finals includes Saturday’s match at Castlemaine and then back home to play the ladder-leading Kangaroo Flat in round 17.

The last of the home-and-away matches for Kyneton will be at home against Maryborough.

The team fighting to keep the heat on Kyneton is Golden Square.

The blue and gold dominated the final quarter to win Saturday’s match against Maryborough at Princes Park by eight goals.

Golden Square led 32-30 at a quarter to go, but clicked into another gear in the last.

By the final whistle, Golden Square led 49-41.

It was Square’s 10th victory in this season’s A-grade action.

Golden Square also gained a psychological edge against a team it’s likely to face in the elimination final.

The winning run for Kangaroo Flat kept on rolling.

The Roos built a 15-goal lead by half-time of the clash with South Bendigo at Dower Park.

On a weekend in which it celebrated its 150th birthday, Kangaroo Flat’s netballers joined in the party.

The Roos won 64-32.

Sandhurst was too strong for Castlemaine, and Gisborne beat Eaglehawk by 35 goals.