Billed as the match of the round in the Bendigo League on Saturday, the Gisborne versus Castlemaine A-grade netball encounter lived up to the advance promotion.
Weather conditions may have been far from ideal at Gardiner Reserve, but the prospect of second playing third had plenty to offer.
Close throughout, scores were tied 28-28 deep into the final quarter, before Gisborne moved the ball forward and snatched full points with the last scoring shot of the match.
As a consequence, Gisborne are six points clear in second position, behind runaway unbeaten leader Sandhurst who obliterated Kyneton by 44 goals.
With Kyneton having several regulars unavailable, Lauren Girvan and Bec Ingleton teamed well in defence to slow down the Sandhurst onslaught.
Castlemaine slip to fourth, but look forward to playing finals; a good effort to get so close at the Gisborne ‘fortress’.
Gisborne had a clean sweep of victories against Castlemaine, and Sandhurst achieved the same against Kyneton.
Other A-grade scores from round 11 were:
Sandhurst 92 d Kyneton 38, Kangaroo Flat 61 d South Bendigo 41, Strathfieldsaye 75 d Golden Square 27, Eaglehawk 59 d Maryborough 28.
Current ladder: Sandhurst 44, Gisborne 36, Kangaroo Flat 32, Castlemaine 30, Strathfieldsaye 22, South Bendigo 18, Kyneton 18, Eaglehawk 12, Maryborough 8, Golden Square 0.
