By Tara Murray
Gisborne will have to lift to another level if it is to get past Sandhurst this weekend in a Bendigo Netball League semi final.
The Bulldogs, which finished the regular season in second, had a solid first up finals win, defeating Eaglehawk in a qualifying final on Sunday.
The Bulldogs won the first three quarters and led by 12 goals at the last change. While they lost the last quarter, they were still win able to win, 60-50.
Bulldogs coach Kim Bailey said she was happy with the win, but said they could have played a lot better.
“We played okay,” she said. “It was not one of our best games.
“I think that there is a lot more left in the tank.
“We are pleased that we won, but we’re disappointed that we lost the last quarter. “We took the foot off the pedal.”
Bailey said Maddy Stewart led from the front playing a captain’s game, while Keara Fitzgerald and Ella Bertacchini also had good games.
She said there was no weak links on the court.
The win was also the first time this season the Bulldogs have had their full squad to choose from.
Goaler Rachel Mackenzie returned from an achilles injury, with Bailey pulling a surprise move.
“Rachel was in as wing attack for a half and it worked well and gives us some good versatility,” she said.
“That was not expected by a lot of people, but it worked.”
The Bulldogs this week face Sandhurst in a semi final for a spot in a grand final. The loser will play in a preliminary final next week.
Bailey said they need to build on what they did at the weekend.
“It was nice to go straight into the second semi final,“ she said.
“To win games, you need to play four consistent quarters.
“We need to play 60 minutes of netball. We had a good game against them last time, and we didn’t have Ella or Clare [Vearing].
“They were missing players as well.”
Gisborne’s A-reserve side faces Kyneton in a knock out semi final, while their under-17s face South Bendigo in a knock out semi final.
