-By Nathan Dole
COLBINABBIN outpointed the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons in Saturday’s seventh round of A-grade netball action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The unbeaten Colbinabbin showed it’s going to be difficult to beat in this year’s premiership race.
Accuracy in attack and a strong defensive mindset were again key factors in a 33-goal victory for Colbinabbin.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Grasshoppers led 16-10 at quarter-time and then dominated the second as it poured in 18 goals and held the Demons to a tally of eight goals.
A 16-goal lead at the main break became 28 at a quarter to play.
Colbinabbin won the last, 17-12, as it completed a 70-37 victory against the Elly Lawton-coached White Hills.
Another big match was at nearby Toolleen where Mount Pleasant hosted the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant was in control of most of the contest and won 55-42.
The Blues are second on the ladder rolling into next Saturday’s bye.
A tough run for the Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell-coached Huntly keeps rolling as the Hawks face Colbinabbin next Saturday in the Hawks’ nest at Strauch Reserve.
North Bendigo returned to the winners’ list after a 16-goal victory on Heathcote’s court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.
A closely-fought opening quarter ended with North Bendigo in front, 15-10.
The Kiralee Kinder-coached Bulldogs dominated most of the second quarter to lead 30-18 at half-time.
It was 15-9 in favour of the red, white and blue in the third term.
A positive for the Anna Dundon-coached Heathcote was the final quarter which it won 12-10.
At the final siren North Bendigo led 55-39.
Closest of the A-grade matches was at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval where Lockington Bamawm United took it right up to Elmore.
At quarter-time it was Elmore which led 12-7.
The Kerryn Giorgianna and Shelby Stone-coached LBU Cats lifted their play to win the second term, 11-9, and were within three goals at the main break.
Both teams scored 11 goals in the third quarter.
An Elmore team now coached by Cade Hayes, playing, and Hayley Langdon, non-playing, fought on to record a 45-41 victory.
Leitchville Gunbower had the bye.
Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball ladder after seven rounds:
Colbinabbin 278 per cent, 24 points; Mount Pleasant 132, 20; Huntly 111, 16; White Hills 105, 16; Elmore 98, 16; North Bendigo 87, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 74, 8; Heathcote 53, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 58, 0.
Match of the day in next Saturday’s eighth round will be at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve where the Harlowe Huntly Hawks strive to end Colbinabbin’s unbeaten run.
The Winslow Constructors Demons play Heathcote at Scott Street in White Hills.
It’s the clash of the Bulldogs and Cats as North Bendigo faces Lockington Bamawm United at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
Elmore will be on its court to play Leitchville Gunbower.
Mount Pleasant has the bye.
Round seven scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Colbinabbin 52 d White Hills 44, Mount Pleasant 42 lt Huntly 52, Heathcote forfeit to North Bendigo, Lockington Bamawm United 50 d Elmore 47, Leitchville Gunbower bye.
B-grade:
Colbinabbin 24 lt White Hills 41, Mount Pleasant 44 lt Huntly 53, Heathcote 39 lt North Bendigo 49, Lockington Bamawm United 61 d Elmore 51, Leitchville Gunbower bye.
B-reserve:
Colbinabbin 44 lt White Hills 53, Mount Pleasant 38 lt Huntly 45, Heathcote 36 lt North Bendigo 46, Lockington Bamawm United 38 lt Elmore 42, Leitchville Gunbower bye.
17-and-under:
Colbinabbin 3 lt White Hills 79, Mount Pleasant 38 d Huntly 36, Heathcote 37 lt North Bendigo 50, Lockington Bamawm United 36 lt Elmore 40, Leitchville Gunbower bye.
15-and-under:
Colbinabbin 35 lt White Hills 42, Mount Pleasant 29 lt Huntly 67, Heathcote 45 d North Bendigo 34, Lockington Bamawm United 63 d Elmore 34, Leitchville Gunbower bye.
13-and-under:
Colbinabbin 53 d White Hills 38, Mount Pleasant 28 d Huntly 16, Heathcote 24 d North Bendigo 16, Lockington Bamawm United 25 d Elmore 13, Leitchville Gunbower bye.
Heathcote DFNL netball ladders after seven rounds:
A-reserve:
Huntly 184 per cent, 24 points; Mount Pleasant 165, 20; Colbinabbin 136, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 85, 12; White Hills 109, 8; North Bendigo 97, 8; Elmore 51, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 44, 0.
B-grade:
Huntly 160 per cent, 24 points; White Hills 139, 20; Heathcote 124, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 93, 14; North Bendigo 91, 12; Mount Pleasant 107, 10; Elmore 83, 8; Colbinabbin 84, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 46, 4.
B-reserve:
Huntly 163 per cent, 24 points; Mount Pleasant 126, 16; North Bendigo 124, 16; White Hills 117, 16; Heathcote 99, 14; Lockington Bamawm United 114, 12; Elmore 82, 8; Colbinabbin 83, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 39, 2.
17-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 163 per cent, 28 points; Huntly 221, 20; White Hills 148, 16; Elmore 91, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 91, 12; Lockington Bamawm United 112, 8; Heathcote 62, 4; North Bendigo 62, 4; Colbinabbin 51, 4.
15-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 283 per cent, 24 points; Elmore 148, 22; White Hills 185, 20; Colbinabbin 103, 12; Leitchville Gunbower 86, 12; Huntly 97, 10; Heathcote 56, 8; Mount Pleasant 44, 4; North Bendigo 49, 0.
13-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 438 per cent, 24 points; Elmore 256, 20; Colbinabbin 160, 20; Leitchville Gunbower 135, 16; Mount Pleasant 87, 16; North Bendigo 61, 8; White Hills 46, 4; Heathcote 40, 4; Huntly 32, 0.