BY NATHAN DOLE
NORTH Bendigo faces a must-win scenario at Heathcote in this Saturday’s 17th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Imogen Davies-coached North Bendigo makes its way to Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve for the big match.
After 16 rounds, North Bendigo is in sixth place.
The Bulldogs are locked on 24 points with Mount Pleasant, but four points adrift of the fifth-placed Blues.
As North Bendigo plays the Saints, Mount Pleasant has the bye.
A win for the red, white and blue will put North Bendigo back on the fifth rung.
Round 18 is a tough prospect as the Bulldogs are at home to Elmore, and Mount Pleasant has home-court advantage at Toolleen against Lockington Bamawm United.
For Heathcote’s and North Bendigo’s players the focus is on round 17, not the week after, or following weeks.
The Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote have a win-loss tally of seven and will be determined to keep the winning run rolling.
Both of the Saints’ coaches were in top form at centre and goal defence respectively in last Saturday’s win at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
Since the defeat at Elmore in the 14th round, Heathcote has struck back to beat Mount Pleasant, and LBU.
The Saints marked a 49-35 win on North Bendigo’s court at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street in the ninth round.
In last Saturday’s play, North Bendigo could not halt White Hills on its way to a 20-goal victory.
The in-form White Hills is on its court at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street this Saturday to play the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
Both teams won their latest matches.
As the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills outpointed North Bendigo, Huntly won 54-47 against Leitchville Gunbower in the Hawks’ nest at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
It was a strong performance by the Kym Bell-coached Hawks as they bounced back from defeat at Colbinabbin the previous round.
The Gemma Angove-coached Leitchville Gunbower will mark its final game of the season when it plays Colbinabbin at Gunbower.
Tough ask for the Bombers against the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin rested by the bye.
Elmore is on its court against Lockington Bamawm United.
Jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards, Elmore is just two steps away from a perfect 16-nil run in the home and away series.
A young LBU team coached by Jessie Hardess faces a tough finish to the season as the Cats play at Elmore and then travel to Toolleen for the final round.
Mount Pleasant has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 177 per cent, 56 points; White Hills 182, 48; Colbinabbin 138, 44; Heathcote 105, 28; Mount Pleasant 86, 24; North Bendigo 82, 24; Huntly 85, 20; Leitchville Gunbower 55, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 54, 4.