-By Nathan Dole
SECOND on the A-grade ladder, Huntly faces a big test in Saturday’s third round of netball action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks face Elmore on the Strauch Reserve court in Huntly from 2.30pm.
Huntly goes into this contest following a 21-goal victory at Leitchville Gunbower.
The Hawks’ A-grade squad includes Rylee and Jasmin Gallagher, Emily Cossar and Georgia Smith.
The Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell-coached Hawks will be primed for a big test against an Elmore team on the rebound from a 28-26 loss at home to White Hills.
A Bloods’ line-up coached by Annie Hockey has played in two hard-fought contests so far.
Elmore won the first-round match at North Bendigo by five goals and then went down to the Demons by two goals.
Players to watch for Elmore across A-grade and the A-reserve matches include Abbey Hay, Abbey Hromenko, Cayde Hayes, Lucy Trewick and Maddison Keating.
Another big match will be at Scott Street in White Hills where the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons face North Bendigo.
The Elly Lawton-coached Demons will be wary of a North Bendigo team which played well against Elmore in the season opener.
Players in the White Hills squad include Annie Spear and Bree Heiden.
A North Bendigo team coached by Kiralee Kinder has had an extended break as the rest for Easter was followed by a bye last round.
The ladder-leading Mount Pleasant will be on its court at Toolleen against Leitchville Gunbower.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues have started the season with big wins against Heathcote and Lockington Bamawm United.
Another big test for the Grant Matthews-coached Leitchville Gunbower on the Blues’ court.
Lockington Bamawm United is at home to play Colbinabbin.
Strong defence will be a focus for the Kerryn Giorgianni and Shelby Stone-coached LBU after Mount Pleasant passed the 60-goal mark last round.
The Cats are against a formidable Colbinabbin line-up coached by Jen McIntyre.
Colbinabbin began its season with a 90-22 win on Heathcote’s court in Pigeon Park at Barrack Reserve.
Heathcote has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Mount Pleasant 219 per cent, 8 points; Huntly 158, 8; White Hills 136, 8; Colbinabbin 409, 4; Elmore 105, 4; North Bendigo 86, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 66, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 54, 0; Heathcote 30, 0.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Huntly 241 per cent, 8 points; White Hills 222, 8; Mount Pleasant 185, 8; Colbinabbin 229, 4; North Bendigo 170, 4; Elmore 59, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 52, 0; Heathcote 44, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 35, 0.
B-grade:
Huntly 277 per cent, 8 points; White Hills 223, 8; Mount Pleasant 110, 6; Heathcote 121, 4; Elmore 119, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 62, 2; Colbinabbin 51, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 29, 0; North Bendigo 0, 0.
B-reserve:
Huntly 222 per cent, 8 points; White Hills 174, 8; Heathcote 113, 8; North Bendigo 170, 4; Mount Pleasant 111, 4; Colbinabbin 79, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 78, 0; Elmore 70, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 29, 0.
17-and-under:
Huntly 270 per cent, 8 points; Mount Pleasant 176, 8; White Hills 115, 8; Elmore 132, 4; Heathcote 77, 4; Colbinabbin 81, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 62, 0; North Bendigo 54, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 47, 0.
15-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 300 per cent, 8 points; Elmore 173, 8; Colbinabbin 585, 4; White Hills 146, 4; Heathcote 65, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 62, 4; Huntly 56, 0; Mount Pleasant 42, 0; North Bendigo 34, 0.
13-and-under:
Elmore 977 per cent, 8 points; Lockington Bamawm United 650, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 600, 8; Colbinabbin 260, 4; Mount Pleasant 68, 4; Heathcote 41, 0; White Hills 15, 0; North Bendigo 10.2, 0; Huntly 10.1, 0.