Crucial contests at several grounds

THERE will be crucial contests on several courts across this Saturday’s seventh round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League.

The fifth-placed North Bendigo faces a big challenge against the sixth-placed Mount Pleasant on the Toolleen Recreation Reserve court.

North Bendigo was beaten by 36 goals in last Saturday’s home-court clash with Colbinabbin at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.

Only a couple of kilometres away, Mount Pleasant marked its best match of the season in a 41-all draw on the White Hills court at Tint-A-Car Oval  in Scott Street.

Win this Saturday and Mounts will move to the fifth rung in the premiership race.

Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Elmore hosts White Hills at Elmore Recreation Reserve.

The Bloods are in hot form.

When these clubs met in the season opener on April 2, Elmore shone under the White Hills lights to score a 59-41 victory.

Since then the Bloods have posted scores of 47, 72, 67, 61 and 77 goals.

The Demons will need to apply plenty of defensive heat, not just in Elmore’s goal circle, but all thirds of the court.

Lockington Bamawm United or Leitchville Gunbower will celebrate a long-awaited victory at the end of their clash on LBU’s court at Nichol Trading Oval.

In round six, the Cats and Bombers were up against top five teams.

LBU was beaten by 24 goals at Huntly, and Leitchville Gunbower was outgunned by Elmore at Degroot Roof Painting Oval in Leitchville.

Colbinabbin takes on Heathcote at M.J. Morgan Reserve in Colbinabbin.

The Grasshoppers were ruthless last Saturday as they scored a 74-36 win at North Bendigo.

The Saints were rested by the bye.

In the previous round, Heathcote played well at home to finish within four goals of North Bendigo at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.

Huntly has the bye.

Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:

Elmore 205 per cent, 24 points; Colbinabbin 155, 20; White Hills 14, 109; Huntly 105, 12; North Bendigo 97, 12; Mount Pleasant 98, 10; Heathcote 83, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 53, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 41, 0.

Written by Nathan Dole