BY NATHAN DOLE
Crucial showdown for North Bendigo, LBU
NORTH Bendigo and Lockington Bamawm United will eye a great chance to climb a rung or two on the A-grade netball ladder in Saturday’s 17th round in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
It’s eighth against ninth as the Bulldogs and Cats meet at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street at 2.30pm.
Both teams will be desperate to mark their third win of the season.
When they met in round eight it was North Bendigo which won 52-44 on the Cats’ court at Lockington.
The Kiralee Kinder and Stacey Kingdon-coached North Bendigo could move to the seventh rung by defeating LBU once again.
An LBU team coached by Ash Cullen would also jump to seventh by beating the Bulldogs.
Both teams will need Leitchville Gunbower to take the points against the seventh-placed Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Leitchville to move up the standings.
After a bye, Heathcote will be back on its court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to take on the Winslow White Hills Demons from 3pm.
Huge challenge for the fifth-placed Saints against the ladder-leading Demons.
When they met in round .eight the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills won 55-41 on the Scott Street court.
Limiting the amount of turnovers, especially in the goaling zone will be a key factor for the Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote team against the reigning premier.
White Hills has drawn its past two matches with Elmore and Leitchville Gunbower, but is still four points clear of the second-placed Colbinabbin.
Elmore will be at home to play Mount Pleasant from 2.30pm.
Just 10 goals separated the Bloods and Blues when they met in the eighth round on Mount Pleasant’s court at Toolleen.
The Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore passed the 70-goal mark at Huntly last round.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues fought on for a 46-41 win at home against North Bendigo last Saturday.
Leitchville Gunbower will face Huntly at Leitchville from 2.30pm.
The Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Leitchville Gunbower played terrific netball to draw at White Hills last round.
The Bombers have plenty of skill and attacking prowess.
Although it’s fourth in the premiership race, LG’s team has shown it can be a serious contender for this year’s premiership.
Another big test for the Kym Bell-coached Hawks against an opponent which won by 31 goals in their previous showdown.
Colbinabbin has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 154 per cent, 52 points; Colbinabbin 147, 48; Elmore 129, 46; Leitchville Gunbower 124, 38; Heathcote 93, 28; Mount Pleasant 80, 16; Huntly 58, 12; North Bendigo 73, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 65, 8.