-By Nathan Dole
MATCHES at Colbinabbin and Leitchville will have a bearing on the A-grade netball ladder in Saturday’s ninth round in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
As teams reach the halfway mark of the home-and-away series the unbeaten Colbinabbin will be on its court at M.J. Morgan to play the second-placed Mount Pleasant.
Another big match will be at Leitchville where Leitchville Gunbower takes on North Bendigo.
It’s first against second as Colbinabbin faces Mount Pleasant in the clash of the Grasshoppers and Blues.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin will be hot favourite to add to its unbeaten run.
In last Saturday’s play, Colbinabbin scored a 33-goal victory against the Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
A powerful attack has capitalised on the mid-court’s dominance in just about every quarter this season.
Colbinabbin’s defenders have also been tough to score against.
Another big test for the Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant which had the bye last Saturday.
Mounts teamed well in a 55-42 victory against Huntly in the seventh round on the Blues’ court in Toolleen.
Separated by a win in the premiership race, Leitchville Gunbower and North Bendigo will be desperate for the points.
The Grant Matthews-coached Leitchville Gunbower starts this round in seventh place and on eight points.
A resurgent North Bendigo is now sixth following back-to-back wins against Heathcote and Lockington Bamawm United.
The Kiralee Kinder-coached North Bendigo will be eyeing a chance to climb into the top five as it starts this round a win, but almost two per cent in front of the Huntly Hawks.
As the Bulldogs won by 33 goals against LBU the Bombers went down to Elmore by 20 goals.
Heathcote will be on its court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to play Huntly on Saturday.
It’s been a tough run for the Anna Dundon-coached Heathcote which has faced Elmore, North Bendigo and White Hills the past three rounds.
The Saints are now up against a Huntly line-up on the rebound from a 69-36 loss at home to Colbinabbin.
The Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell-coached Huntly made a four-nil start to the season and will be determined to snap a three-match losing streak.
It’s the Cats against the Demons as Lockington Bamawm United hosts White Hills at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
The Kerryn Giorgiannia and Shelby Stone-coached LBU has played some fine quarters, but yet to string four quarters together.
Being up against the Demons who are third on the ladder will be another big test for LBU’s team.
The Elly Lawton-coached White Hills scored a 64-33 win in the Scott Street den against the Heathcote Saints last round.
Elmore has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Colbinabbin 263 per cent, 28 points; Mount Pleasant 132, 20; White Hills 115, 20; Elmore 105, 20; Huntly 98, 16; North Bendigo 99, 12; Leitchville Gunbower 73, 8; Heathcote 53, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 56, 0.
Heathcote DFNL netball ladders after eight rounds:
A-reserve:
Huntly 175 per cent, 28 points; Mount Pleasant 165, 20; Colbinabbin 121, 16; North Bendigo 100, 12; Lockington Bamawm United 86, 12; White Hills 109, 8; Elmore 57, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 49, 0.
B-grade:
Huntly 149 per cent, 24 points; White Hills 138, 24; Lockington Bamawm United 98, 18; Heathcote 115, 16; Elmore 93, 12; North Bendigo 89, 12; Mount Pleasant 107, 10; Colbinabbin 88, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 46, 4.
B-reserve:
Huntly 160 per cent, 28 points; North Bendigo 125, 20; White Hills 119, 20; Mount Pleasant 126, 16; Heathcote 94, 14; Lockington Bamawm United 107, 12; Elmore 92, 12; Colbinabbin 79, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 41, 2.
17-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 163 per cent, 28 points; Huntly 206, 24; White Hills 153, 20; Elmore 94, 20; Lockington Bamawm United 120, 12; Leitchville Gunbower 89, 12; Heathcote 61, 4; North Bendigo 60, 4; Colbinabbin 53, 4.
15-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 306 per cent, 28 points; Elmore 151, 26; White Hills 215, 24; Colbinabbin 109, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 81, 12; Huntly 93, 10; Heathcote 46, 8; Mount Pleasant 44, 4; North Bendigo 43, 0.
13-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 450 per cent, 28 points; Elmore 253, 24; Colbinabbin 246, 24; Leitchville Gunbower 116, 16; Mount Pleasant 87, 16; Heathcote 63, 8; North Bendigo 55, 8; White Hills 28, 4; Huntly 29, 0.