Slick Sandhurst ends Gisborne’s streak

SANDHURST’S pace could not be stopped as it broke Gisborne’s unbeaten streak in Saturday’s 10th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s senior footy season.

At the end of a great opening half between first and seventh going into the contest at Queen Elizabeth Oval it was Gisborne which led 41-40.

It was a different Dragons’ line-up in the third.

Led by the play of Brodie Montague, Liam Ireland and Cooper Smith, Sandhurst scored 6.3 to 1.2 in the penultimate term.

A talented attack led by Matt Thornton and Joel Wharton on three goals, and the elusive Lachlan Zimmer on two, capped off the Dragons’ work at centre ball-ups and through the midfield.

Just as important was the work of the defence by the Ash Connick-coached Sandhurst.

The Dragons held Gisborne to just 20 points in the second half on the way to recording a 98-61 victory.

A formidable Bulldogs’ forward line was limited to nine majors, with captain Pat McKenna and Harry Thomas the only multiple goalkickers on two.

Best for Sandhurst included Isaac Ruff, Jeremy Rodi and Zach Pallpratt.

Gisborne’s best were Liam Spear, Jack Reaper, Jake Normington, Harry Thomas and Braidon Blake.

The win catapulted Sandhurst to the fifth rung on the ladder ahead of next Saturday’s big game on Strathfieldsaye’s turf at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

It was a closely fought match between Maryborough and Kangaroo Flat in the Magpies’ nest at Princes Park.

Maryborough kicked off its 150th year celebrations and overcame a slow opening quarter to be within two points at half-time.

The Roos opened up a 28-point lead by the final change, but the Magpies worked hard to win the last term, 32-20, as Kangaroo Flat marked an 82-66 victory.

As many of the premiership-winning players from the ’72 season watched on, Golden Square dominated its clash with South Bendigo at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

The Bulldogs won 140-47 as Jake Thrum kicked five goals in a best afield performance.

Strathfieldsaye bounced back from defeat to win at Eaglehawk by 26 points, and Kyneton thrashed Castlemaine at Tigerland.