Gisborne netballers were involved in two astonishing Bendigo League knockout semi-finals on Sunday.
Both went to extra time, and the Bulldogs finished up with a 50/50 outcome – the A-graders surviving with a pressure packed victory over Castlemaine, while the B-graders succumbed to South Bendigo.
The A-grade semi-final was a see-sawing affair, with the in-form Magpies taking the game right up to Gisborne, and the lead changing several times.
Scores were tied 41-41 at full-time, and Gisborne steadied to score often enough in the first allocated five minutes of extra time to advance to a preliminary final showdown against Kangaroo Flat this weekend.
Sandhurst stamped themselves as hot flag favourites in the top grade by thrashing Kangaroo Flat 65-26 on Saturday.
After Gisborne and South Bendigo were tied 43-43 at full-time, the latter won in extra time.
Gisborne netballers are still in contention in other grades.
The powerful 17 and Under Bulldogs earned a grand final spot by defeating Sandhurst 51-44, and look forward to grand final day when they will play either Sandhurst or Kangaroo Flat.
In A-Reserve, Gisborne defeated South Bendigo 47-41 to advance to the preliminary final against Kangaroo Flat, a side that lost by three goals to Sandhurst in the second semi-final.
The B-Reserve second semi-final was a high-scoring affair, with Sandhurst downing the Bulldogs 57-48. Gisborne now play Kangaroo Flat to stay alive.
Gisborne’s head coach Tarryn Rymer is looking for big performances this weekend, knowing there are no second chances.
