-By Nathan Dole
THE Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons will be fired up for this Saturday’s clash with Mount Pleasant in round six of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL.
White Hills has home-court advantage in Scott Street as the Demons and Blues clash.
Stung by defeat in its most recent home game by North Bendigo, White Hills bounced back after a bye to inflict Huntly’s first defeat of the season last Saturday.
The Elly Lawton-coached White Hills won 46-37 at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Second in the premiership race, Mount Pleasant took the points against North Bendigo in round five.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues won 52-34 on their Toolleen court.
North Bendigo faces a huge task against a rampant Colbinabbin line-up.
The Kiralee Kinder-coached North Bendigo will be home at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to face the Grasshoppers.
As the Bulldogs were beaten in their match with Mounts the Grasshoppers dominated play against Elmore.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Grasshoppers outgunned Elmore in the rematch of last September’s grand finalists at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval by 56 goals.
Slick teamwork in all thirds of the court and a powerful attack have been keys to the green and gold’s charge to the top of the ladder.
Elmore will be determined to hit back from such a big defeat when it hosts Heathcote.
There have been plenty of changes to Elmore’s line-up since last season’s grand final victory against Colbinabbin.
This season it’s Annie Hockey who has coached Elmore to a two-three record and fifth place on the ladder.
There’s also been changes at Heathcote in recent weeks.
Anna Dundon has stepped up from netball operations to now be coaching A-grade after the departure of coach and goalkeeper Chloe Meulenmeesters.
The Saints were beaten in last Saturday’s home game at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve by Leitchville Gunbower.
After a breakthrough victory, Leitchville Gunbower will chase back-to-back wins when it hosts Lockington Bamawm United at Leitchville.
The Grant Matthews-coached Bombers teamed brilliantly to score 66 goals on Heathcote’s court.
Lockington Bamawm United had the bye last round.
This season the LBU Cats are coached by Kerryn Giorgiannia and Shelby Stone.
Huntly has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Colbinabbin 334 per cent, 16 points; Mount Pleasant 156, 16; Huntly 121, 16; White Hills 115, 12; Elmore 81, 8; North Bendigo 89, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 67, 4; Heathcote 51, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 49, 0.
League ladders after five rounds:
A-reserve:
Huntly 202 per cent, 20 points; Mount Pleasant 214, 16; Colbinabbin 149, 8; White Hills 135, 8; North Bendigo 102, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 69, 4; Elmore 44, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 36, 0.
B-grade:
Huntly 170 per cent, 20 points; White Hills 143, 12; Heathcote 138, 12; Mount Pleasant 117, 10; Elmore 86, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 74, 6; Colbinabbin 91, 4; North Bendigo 79, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 43, 4.
B-reserve:
Huntly 176 per cent, 20 points; Mount Pleasant 147, 16; Heathcote 103, 10; White Hills 121, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 101, 8; North Bendigo 100, 8; Colbinabbin 98, 4; Elmore 76, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 41, 2.
17-and-under:
Huntly 264 per cent, 20 points; Mount Pleasant 196, 20; White Hills 114, 12; Lockington Bamawm United 123, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 88, 8; Elmore 74, 4; Colbinabbin 65, 4; Heathcote 58, 4; North Bendigo 42, 0.
15-and-under:
Elmore 186 per cent, 18 points; Lockington Bamawm United 320, 16; White Hills 178, 12; Leitcvhille Gunbower 112, 12; Colbinabbin 86, 8; Huntly 79, 6; Mount Pleasant 49, 4; Heathcote 41, 4; North Bendigo 48, 0.
13-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 570 per cent, 16 points; Elmore 335, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 203, 16; Colbinabbin 146, 12; North Bendigo 72, 8; Mount Pleasant 68, 8; White Hills 31, 4; Heathcote 30, 0; Huntly 28, 0.