Bendigo: Sandhurst and South Bendigo among opening round winners

All the action from two matches in a bumper opening round of the Bendigo league.

Brutally tough conditions have marked the opening round of the Bendigo league season when reigning premiers Sandhurst was too strong for Castlemaine at the Queen Elizabeth Oval and South Bendigo won a thriller against Strathfieldsaye at the Harry Trott Reserve.

Temperatures soared above 30C as other first round winners included Gisborne and Eaglehawk as the league gears up for a full round on Good Friday.

Sandhurst’s Nicholas Stagg tackles Castlemaine’s Bailey Henderson. Pictures Yuri Kouzmin

Sandhurst’s Charlie Robinson marks in front of Castlemaine’s Ryan Eyre.

Castlemaine’s Hunter Staples attempts to gather loose ball.

Castlemaine’s Zach Greeves is outnumbered by two Sandhurst opponents.

Sandhurst’s Tom Campbell takes front position. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Sandhurst co-coach Lachlan Tardrew dishes off a handpass against Castlemaine.

Sandhurst beat Castlemaine in their first round clash, at the QEO.

Sandhurst’s Seb Collins rises above Castlemaine coach Michael Hartley.

Castlemaine’s Bailey Henderson tackles his Sandhurst opponent.

Sandhurst’s Lachlan Tardrew, Tom Campbell and Oliver Morris outnumber a Castlemaine opponent.

Sandhurst’s Seb Collins is brought to ground in a tackle.

Sandhurst’s Fergus Greene launches over Castlemaine’s Brodie Byrne.

Sandhurst’s Tom Campbell takes front position.

South Bendigo co-coach Troy Coates.

The action was hit in the clinches between South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye.

South Bendigo’s Kaiden Antonowicz marks in front of Strathfieldsaye recruit Kya Lanfranchi.

South Bendigo big man Macgregor Cameron soars for a mark.

South Bendigo’s Brock Harvey tackles Strathfieldsaye’s Kya Lanfranchi.

Strathfieldsaye’s Jye Formosa is tackled to the ground.

South Bendigo’s Kaiden Antonowicz celebrates a goal.

South Bendigo’s Joel Swatton leads Strathfieldsaye’s Mitch Hallinan to the ball.

Strathfieldsaye’s Shannon Murphy chases the loose ball against South Bendigo.

South Bendigo beat Strathfieldsaye in a one-point thriller.

South Bendigo’s Brock Harvey closes in on Strathfieldsaye’s Timothy Hosking.

South Bendigo’s Jake Rusbridge lays a tackle on Strathfieldsaye’s Harry Welch.