THE White Hills Demons will aim to bring a high level of pressure for Saturday’s A-grade netball second semi-final in week two of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL finals series.
Two of the league’s netball powerhouses of recent seasons, White Hills and Colbinabbin will be aiming to be first to the September 13 grand final at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
It’s a huge test for the Elly Lawton-coached Demons as they will play the unbeaten Colbinabbin on its court at M.J. Morgan Oval from 2.30pm.
As it has done in many matches this season the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin marked wins against White Hills by 33 49 goals in the run to the finals.
Runner-up the past two seasons, Colbinabbin is incredibly strong in all thirds of the court.
The green and gold has surpassed the 80-goal mark in six matches.
As Colbinabbin had a rest on week one of the finals series the White Hills line-up fought on for a 55-52 victory against Mount Pleasant in last Saturday’s qualifying final at Gunbower.
On Sunday it will be Mount Pleasant and the Harlowe Huntly Hawks fighting to stay in the premiership race.
The Blues and Hawks will contest the first semi-final at Lockington from 2pm.
In round seven the Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant scored a 55-42 win on its court in Toolleen against the Hawks.
Mounts dominated the round 16 match at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve to win by 24 goals.
The Blues will be keen to hit back from their qualifying final loss to the Demons.
A Huntly team coached by Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell showed plenty of fighting spirit and poise to score a 47-46 victory against Elmore as the elimination final went into extra time.
Eight of the league’s nine clubs will be represented in at least one netball semi-final.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval:
17-and-under at 8.45am, court one: Huntly v Mount Pleasant.
13-and-under at 8.45am, court two: Lockington Bamawm United v Colbinabbin.
B-grade at 10am, court one: White Hills v Huntly.
15-and-under at 10am, court two: Lockington Bamawm United v White Hills.
B-reserve at 11.30am, court one: Huntly v White Hills.
A-reserve at 1pm, court one: Huntly v Mount Pleasant.
A-grade at 2.30pm, court one: Colbinabbin v White Hills.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval:
17-and-under at 9.30am, court one: White Hills v Leitchville Gunbower.
13-and-under at 9.30am, court two: Elmore v Leitchville Gunbower.
B-grade at 11am, court one: Mount Pleasant v Lockington Bamawm United.
15-and-under at 11am, court two: Elmore v Huntly.
A-reserve at 12.30pm, court one: Colbinabbin v White Hills.
B-reserve at 12.30pm, court two: Mount Pleasant v North Bendigo.
A-grade at 2pm, court one: Mount Pleasant v Huntly.