Pressure’s high as netballers pursue finals berth
THE heat will be on from the first pass until the last in many of Saturday’s A-grade netball contests across the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League.
Three clubs are a chance to make it through to an elimination final as they take to the court on a day AFL Central Victoria marks Bendigo Bank Round in all footy and netball competitions across the region.
There’s also ramifications at the top after the HDFNL board upheld Huntly’s protest after an Elmore player not named on the score sheet took to the court in last Saturday’s A-grade match at Strauch Reserve.
The HDFLNL board has followed International Netball Rules and HDFNL By-Laws to overturn the game result and declare a 25-nil win for Huntly.
The result has put Huntly in fifth place on the ladder, a win clear of Lockington Bamawm United and Leitchville-Gunbower.
Sixth on the ladder, Lockington Bamawm United faces a daunting task on Elmore’s court.
When these club met in round nine it was Elmore which scored a 36-goal win at Lockington.
The Cats’ bid for a finals berth took a hit in last Saturday’s nine-goal loss at home to Colbinabbin.
Win or lose this Saturday, the Lisa Myers-coached Colbinabbin is through to the elimination final on its court at M.J. Morgan Reserve on August 14.
The green and gold could face Huntly, LBU or Leitchville-Gunbower.
Immediate focus for Colbinabbin is the round 18 showdown at home against Mount Pleasant.
In the ninth round it was Mounts which marked a 47-28 victory on its Toolleen court.
The Blues are third on the ladder and aiming to build confidence in the lead-up to a qualifying final at Lockington on August 13.
The league ruling in favour of Elmore has put Heathcote, eighth and 4-11 out of the running for a finals berth.
The Saints have home-court advantage at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve for their clash with a Leitchville-Gunbower team aiming to climb to the fifth rung.
In round nine it was Leitchville-Gunbower which scored a 47-31 win at home against Heathcote.
The Saints had the bye last round as the Bombers were beaten by 14 goals at Gunbower by White Hills.
White Hills has now moved a win clear of Elmore and likely to hold top spot and a rest in week one of the finals action.
White Hills has home-court advantage at Scott Street to take on Huntly this Saturday.
The Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills won the previous clash on Huntly’s court at Strauch Reserve by 43 goals.
North Bendigo has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 169 per cent, 56 points; Elmore 156, 52; Mount Pleasant 107, 40; Colbinabbin 99, 32; Huntly 85, 24; Lockington Bamawm United 89, 20; Leitchville-Gunbower 80, 20; Heathcote 84, 16; North Bendigo 63, 12.
Venues for the Heathcote DFNL’s finals series:
Qualifying finals on August 13 at Lockington.
Elimination finals on August 14 at Colbinabbin.
Second semi-finals on August 20 at Toolleen or Colbinabbin.
First semi-finals on August 21 at Toolleen or Colbinabbin.
Preliminary finals on August 27 at White Hills.
Grand finals on September 3 at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Written by Nathan Dole.
