BY NATHAN DOLE
Heathcote ups pressure against Bloods
ON A winning hat-trick, Heathcote faces a huge challenge against Elmore in this Saturday’s round 14 action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition.
The Heathcote Saints will be back on their court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to take on the Bloods from 2.30pm.
A high level of pressure and improved goalscoring accuracy will be among the targets for the Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote.
Since a 47-goal loss at home to Colbinabbin in round 10, Heathcote has struck back to beat Lockington Bamwm United, Mount Pleasant and North Bendigo.
Margins in those contests were 29, 10 and six goals.
The Saints now take on an opponent which beat them by 32 goals on Elmore’s court in round five.
A highlight of this match will be the duel between Saints’ goalkeeper Jen Van Neutegem and Elmore co-coach and gun goaler Gabe Richards.
A strong Elmore line-up include co-coach Allira Holmes in defence.
Third in the premiership race, Elmore’s only defeats this season were against top teams White Hills, round six, and Colbinabbin, round 12.
On the rebound from an eight-goal defeat on Colbinabbin’s court, Winslow White Hills Demons will be home in Scott Street to take on North Bendigo.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Demons will start hot favourite to take the points.
When the Demons and Bulldogs met in round five it was the red and black which marked a 20-goal victory.
It’s the start of a testing run for the Kiralee Kinder and Stacey Kingdon-coached North Bendigo which will play Huntly and Mount Pleasant to complete the July schedule.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks will be on their court at Strauch Reserve to play Colbinabbin.
The Kym Bell-coached Hawks coached Hawks played well to score a 40-37 victory on Lockington Bamawm United’s court last Saturday.
Huge challenge against the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin which has beaten Elmore and White Hills the past fortnight.
Runner-up last season, Colbinabbin has shown it will be a strong contender for this season’s premiership cup.
Mount Pleasant takes on Lockington Bamawm United at Toolleen.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant could jump to the sixth rung by winning this match.
Back in round five it was the Ash Cullen-coached LBU Cats who beat the Blues by 25 goals in Lockington.
The Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 164 per cent, 44 points; Colbinabbin 135, 36; Elmore 119, 36; Leitchville-Gunbower 125, 32; Heathcote 100, 28; North Bendigo 79, 8; Mount Pleasant 76, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 66, 8; Huntly 58, 8.