THE Huntly Hawks will eye a chance to close the gap to fifth-placed North Bendigo on the A-grade netball ladder in this Saturday’s 15th round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League season.
After no play the past two Saturdays because of the COVID lockdown, players will be rapt to back on court.
At four rounds to go in the home and away series, North Bendigo leads Huntly by six points in the fight for fifth place and a finals berth.
In this Saturday’s play, Huntly has home-court advantage against Leitchville Gunbower at Specialist Breeders Australia Oval in Strauch Reserve.
When these clubs met in round nine, Huntly fought for a 44-35 win at Gunbower.
The Hawks will also be keen to hit back from a 30-goal loss in its most recent hit-out at home against Elmore.
Although eighth on the ladder, Leitchville Gunbower has played terrific netball in several matches this season.
The Bombers finished within two goals of Heathcote in round 12 on June 26.
Mount Pleasant has worked hard to gain third place on the ladder and will be determined to hold the double chance at finals time.
The Blues host Heathcote this Saturday at Toolleen.
In round eight, Mounts charged to a 35-goal victory on the Saints’ court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.
Most recent games for these clubs were an 18-goal win for the Blues against Leitchville Gunbower, and a 12-goal loss for Heathcote at North Bendigo played on July 10.
The unbeaten Elmore takes on North Bendigo at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
It’s a huge challenge for North Bendigo’s defence against a team which has passed the 70-goal mark in four games and reached the 60s in another four contests.
In round eight, Elmore won on North Bendigo’s court at Hibo Hotel in Atkins Street by 27 goals.
Lockington Bamawm United has endured the longest break of all teams playing this round.
The Cats have not played since the July 3 hit-out at Elmore as they had the bye the next round.
LBU is at home at Nichol Trading Oval in Lockington to take on a White Hills line-up on the rebound from a 13-goal loss to Colbinabbin.
The Demons scored a big win in their previous clash with LBU and will start favourite to take the points again.
Colbinabbin has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball ladder:
Elmore 202 per cent, 44 points; Colbinabbin 156, 44; Mount Pleasant 115.3, 30; White Hills 115.1, 30; North Bendigo 98, 28; Huntly 95, 22; Heathcote 67, 14; Leitchville Gunbower 53, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 54, 4.
The run for top five contenders North Bendigo and Huntly in the next month.
Round 16, August 7 – North Bendigo v LBU (home), Huntly at White Hills.
Round 17, August 14 – Huntly v North Bendigo at Huntly.
Round 18, August 21 – North Bendigo v Leitchville Gunbower at home, Huntly at Heathcote.
Written by Nathan Dole.