Bendigo bows out in netball semi

THE Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s run toward victory in the women’s open division at Netball Victoria’s Association championships was ended in the semi-finals.

Runner-up at the previous year’s tournament, Bendigo was in hot form across the preliminary matches of last Sunday’s event at the State Netball Centre in Parkville.

The Bendigo FNL began with an 18-10 victory against SS&A Ovens and Murray, and then fought for a 13-12 victory against Kingston & District.

In the next two matches the blue and gold beat Waverley Night, 20-12, and Banyule & District, 10-9.

With Kangaroo Flat’s Jayden Cowling as coach and Strathfieldsaye’s Steph Freemantle as assistant, Bendigo’s streak kept rolling as it beat Northern 20-5 and Western Region 18-13.

A 13-all draw with Murray in game seven was followed by wins against Mountain District 24-2, reigning champions Goulburn Valley 16-11, West Gippsland 19-3, and Hampden 16-8.

Although it had beaten Banyule in the preliminary rounds, Bendigo’s quest for titles success was ended as Banyule achieved a 14-12 victory in the semi-final.

Banyule went on to beat SS&A Ovens & Murray in the final, 13-12.

The Bendigo FNL team in the women’s open division was Kirby Elliott and Claudia Mawson from Gisborne, Abbey Ryan, Ashley Ryan and Milly Wicks who play at Kangaroo Flat, Shae Clifford, Heather Oliver, Charlotte Sexton, Sophie Shoebridge, Bec Smith and Meg Williams from powerhouse Sandhurst and and Alicia McGlashan from South Bendigo.

Meanwhile, the Bendigo FNL’s 17-and-under team achieved a win-loss tally of three and six and a draw at the Association championships in Parkville.

Highs for the league’s rising stars were a 14-11 win against Gippsland, a 22-4 result against Central Murray, and 15-10 victory against West Gippsland.

Two of the team’s defeats were by a goal.

The Bendigo FNL 17-and-under team was coached by Nicole Donnellon and Sharni McPherson and made its way to Parkville after wins in tournaments after an unbeaten run at northern zone finals in Bendigo.

Joint captains of the team were Reese Gilchrist and Megan Wilson.

The 17-and-under final at the Association titles went the way of Banyule in a 15-9 result against Hampden.