THE Huntly Hawks will up the heat when they face White Hills in this Saturday’s ninth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League season.
It’s a crucial test for the Hawks and Demons as they fight to claim a top-three finish and all-important double chance for finals.
Huntly will have home-court advantage at Specialist Breeders Australia Oval in Strauch Reserve.
Both teams claimed premiership points last round.
Huntly won 44-35 against Leitchville Gunbower at Leitchville, and White Hills scored a 67-23 victory against Lockington Bamawm United at Tint A Car Oval in Scott Street.
The third-placed White Hills leads Huntly by two points and 2.18 per cent.
Another big match will be at Toolleen Recreation Reserve where Mount Pleasant faces Colbinabbin.
The Blues scored an impressive 69-34 in last Saturday’s match on Heathcote’s court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.
Mounts will be desperate for an upset victory and to stay in touch of the fifth-placed North Bendigo.
Beaten just once this season and fresh from the bye, Colbinabbin will start favourite.
In its past two hit-outs, Colbo beat Heathcote by 33 goals at M.J. Morgan Reserve and won at North Bendigo by 38 goals.
Elmore is back on its court to play Heathcote.
The Bloods poured in 69 goals on their way to a 27-goal victory at North Bendigo’s Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street last round.
Heathcote will do all it can to win contests in all thirds of the court, but the Bloods are likely to have too much skill, speed and scoring power for the Saints.
Lockington Bamawm United and North Bendigo clash at Nichol Trading Oval in Lockington.
A win for North Bendigo would put it back in front of Huntly, provided the Hawks are beaten by White Hills.
Another bonus for the Bulldogs would be gaining a six-point buffer on Mounts, provided the Blues are defeated by the Grasshoppers.
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 196 per cent, 32 points; Colbinabbin 160, 24; White Hills 109, 18; Huntly 107, 16; North Bendigo 91, 16; Mount Pleasant 109, 14; Heathcote 70, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 51, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 54, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole.