Bloods ride momentum to three straight BFNL wins

SOUTH Bendigo has continued to stamp itself as one of the BFNL’s form netball teams, acing another tough test against Eaglehawk.

A week after making a bold statement in an upset win over reigning premier Gisborne, the Bloods avoided any letdown, defeating the Hawks on their home court at Canterbury Park by five goals.

After ending the first round of matches with just one-and-a-half wins, the Bloods (4-4-1) find themselves on a roll following three straight wins.

They sit just two points below third-placed Gisborne in fourth spot, and four points clear of last Saturday’s opponent Eaglehawk, currently fifth.

The Bulldogs bounced back from their shock loss to the Bloods in style, defeating the Storm at Strathfieldsaye by 31 goals, while second-placed Sandhurst took care of Golden Square 69-27.

South Bendigo coach Lauren Bowles praised her side’s poise and composure after surviving a second tight contest this season against the Hawks.

No two sides in the competition look as evenly matched as the Bloods and Hawks, who played out a draw in their earlier season contest in the rain at the QEO on Anzac Day.

“Gee it was a tough game – there’s no doubt we match up very well against each other,” Bowles said.

“And as you would expect in that scenario, both teams came out firing.

“It was no more than that five-goal margin for the majority of the match.

“It was only two goals at one point, so credit to us, in really tough moments we were able to show composure and get that five-goal buffer.

“Three in a row (wins) is a great feeling.

“Even better, it was the first time all season we’ve had all five netball teams win, including the 17s, who won their first game of the season.

“To finish with an A-grade win after a day like that was awesome.”

The Bloods were again superbly led by powerhouse goal shooter Gabe Richards. Few, if any, players in the league have as big an impact on the fortunes of their team and the confidence of their teammates as does Richards.

“Some of the balls she was pulling in (against Eaglehawk) and how she is able to do that sometimes is absolutely incredible,” Bowles said.

“She had another wonderful game and another great leadership game, just like last week against Gisborne.

“Obviously we are a totally different side with her and it was a few tough losses when we were without her.

“If we hadn’t lost those games, the ladder standings could have been a lot different for us.

“We could even have been sitting in the top three. But that’s okay, it’s given opportunities to other girls.

“That said, there is no doubting she is a huge target for us.

“We had Izzy Coutts in alongside Gabe (on Saturday) and I thought she had a really great game too.”

Highlighting the closeness of Saturday’s contest, the Bloods led by a solitary goal at quarter-time and by only four at the other two changes of end.

Bowles again heaped praise on defender Hayley Harrington, who had the tough assignment on Hawks goal shooter Chloe Langley.

Harrington has been arguably the Bloods’ most consistent player since winning the call-up from A-reserve.

“She was outstanding,” Bowles said.

“Having come up from A-reserve, she is getting better and better each week.

“Her rebounding has been excellent.

“She had a really tough opponent in Chloe Langley, who I rate highly and is a great goaler, and uses her body really well.

“Hayley’s rebounding gave our side plenty of opportunities.”

South Bendigo’s season has hit an intriguing, if not awkward, spot.

Eyeing four straight wins, the Bloods won’t play again until 19 July courtesy of the Castlemaine bye followed by the interleague bye.

A tough test awaits on their return against second-placed Sandhurst.

The Dragons have lost only once this season against Kangaroo Flat.

They will get their chance to avenge their loss at the QEO this weekend, with the Roos returning to action following their bye in last weekend’s round.

Eaglehawk’s bid to rebound will lead to Gisborne this Saturday.

Round 10 recap: Eaglehawk 53 lost to South Bendigo 58; Sandhurst 69 defeated Golden Square 27; Strathfieldsaye 27 defeated Gisborne 58; Kangaroo Flat bye.

Round 11: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst; Gisborne v Eaglehawk; Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye; South Bendigo bye.