BY NATHAN DOLE
TOP teams in Elmore, Colbinabbin and White Hills were all in superb form on the netball court across Saturday’s third round of A-grade action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL competition.
The league’s most powerful line-ups of the ’22 campaign showed they have plenty of goalscoring punch and defensive strength.
Colbinabbin took on Mount Pleasant on the Grasshoppers’ court at M.J. Morgan Reserve.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin played well the previous round to finish within five goals of the Elmore line-up and took that form into this clash with the Blues.
Elle Palmer was outstanding at goalkeeper for the green and gold, and the return of the experienced Olivia McEvoy in mid-court has played a big part in the team’s run.
It was a danger game for Colbinabbin as the Carine Comer-coached Mount Pleasant had won its opening two games against North Bendigo and Huntly.
On Saturday it was the Grasshoppers who surged to a 71-35 win against the Blues to claim the valuable premiership points and the McTaggart-Conroy Cup.
It was a percentage-lifting win for Elmore against Leitchville Gunbower at Leitchville.
Jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards, Elmore almost hit the century mark against the Bombers.
At the final whistle Elmore led 97-28 in a warm-up for next Saturday’s home game against White Hills in the rematch of the ’22 grand finalists.
Kym Bell marked her first win as Huntly’s A-grade coach as the Hawks won a closely-fought match with Lockington Bamawm United at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
In the battle of the Hawks and Cats it was the Hawks who took the points in a 54-42 result.
Round three was completed on Saturday night when White Hills hosted Heathcote under lights at the Scott Street ground.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Demons dominated quarters won and two in a 68-23 result.
Heathcote was without mid-court star and dual Esther Cheatley medallist Brooke Bolton for this match.
Bolton is also co-coach of the Saints with Kelsey Hayes.
After being outgunned in term one, Heathcote worked hard to keep the pressure on the Demons in the second and third terms.
A strong White Hills team included Amy Morrissey in defence, Olivia Treloar in attack, and Tegan Elliston who marked her first match of the season by starring at wing and goal defence.
North Bendigo had the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 196 per cent, 12 points; White Hills 354, 8; Colbinabbin 133, 8; Mount Pleasant 88, 8; North Bendigo 100, 4; Huntly 76, 4; Heathcote 75, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 78, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 34, 0.
Highlight of next Saturday’s fourth round will be the rematch of last season’s grand finalists, Elmore and White Hills on Elmore’s court.
Lockington Bamawm United takes on Colbinabbin at Lockington.
Mount Pleasant faces Leitchville Gunbower at Toolleen.
Refreshed by the bye, North Bendigo is back at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street to play Huntly.
Heathcote has the bye.
Round three scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Colbinabbin 55 d Mount Pleasant 37, Leitchville Gunbower 32 lt Elmore 65, Huntly 46 d LBU 37, White Hills 40 d Heathcote 25, North Bendigo bye.
B-grade:
Colbinabbin 35 lt Mount Pleasant 35, Leitchville Gunbower 24 lt Elmore 52, Huntly 51 d LBU 35, White Hills 60 d Heathcote 15, North Bendigo bye.
B-reserve:
Colbinabbin 29 lt Mount Pleasant 45, Leitchville Gunbower 26 le Elmore 73, Huntly 47 d LBU 16, White Hills 49 d Heathcote 9, North Bendigo bye.
17-and-under:
Colbinabbin 47 d Mount Pleasant 46, Leitchville Gunbower 31 lt Elmore 34, Huntly 26 lt LBU 45, White Hills 18 lt Heathcote 52, North Bendigo bye.
15-and-under:
Colbinabbin 15 lt Mount Pleasant 60, Leitchville Gunbower 15 lt Elmore 61, Huntly 66 d LBU 9, White Hills 59 d Heathcote 12, North Bendigo bye.
13-and-under:
Colbinabbin 22 d Mount Pleasant 2, Leitchville Gunbower 20 d Elmore 0, Huntly 10 lt Lockington Bamawm United 21, White Hills 11 lt Heathcote 22, North Bendigo bye.
League standings after three rounds:
A-reserve:
Elmore 173 per cent, 12 points; White Hills 230, 8; North Bendigo 145, 8; Colbinabbin 119, 8; Huntly 91, 8; Heathcote 77, 4; Mount Pleasant 77, 0; LBU 69, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 52, 0.
B-grade:
Huntly 130 per cent, 12 points; White Hills 286, 8; North Bendigo 135, 8; Elmore 132, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 295, 4; Mount Pleasant 101, 4; Colbinabbin 92, 4; LBU 71, 0; Heathcote 38, 0.
B-reserve:
Huntly 157 per cent, 12 points; White Hills 262, 8; Elmore 170, 8; Mount Pleasant 111, 8; North Bendigo 123, 4; Colbinabbin 78, 4; Heathcote 48, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 49, 0; LBU 38, 0.
17-and-under:
Heathcote 227 per cent, 12 points; LBU 193, 8; Colinabbin 100, 8; Huntly 95, 8; Mount Pleasant 98, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 80, 4; Elmore 79, 4; North Bendigo 66, 0; White Hills 45, 0.
15-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 367 per cent, 12 points; White Hills 286, 8; Elmore 200, 8; Huntly 158, 8; Heathcote 55, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 52, 4; LBU 46, 4; North Bendigo 42, 0; Colinabbin 41, 0.
13-and-under:
Heathcote 139 per cent, 12 points; LBU 563, 8; Huntly 165, 8; Colbinabbin 159, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 144, 8; Mount Pleasant 36, 4; White Hills 63, 0; Elmore 46, 0; North Bendigo 3, 0.