Demons warm up for crucial showdown with Elmore
WHITE Hills warmed up for its highly-anticipated clash with Elmore by scoring a 23-goal win against Colbinabbin in Saturday’s 13th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League season.
The Demons had home-court advantage at Scott Street for their match with the Grasshoppers.
White Hills surged to an early lead and had all the answers on the way to a 54-31 victory and moved to the top of the ladder as the unbeaten Elmore had the bye.
Demons’ coach Lauren Bowles said the team would have to lift its defensive intensity and attacking play for the showdown with the Bloods.
In most matches this season White Hills has kept on pushing until the final whistle.
It did not happen this time, although Bowles praised the young Colbinabbin line-up on its effort to raise its defensive play in the second half.
A goal for White Hills will be a four-quarter effort in a bid to end Elmore’s long-running winning streak.
The round five match between White Hills and Elmore ended in a seven-goal win for the Bloods in the Demons’ den.
Meanwhile, Mount Pleasant consolidated its top-three berth after a 55-33 win against Leitchville-Gunbower in Saturday’s match on the Toolleen court.
Huntly moved into the top five after a 51-46 victory dislodged Lockington Bamawm United from fifth after the Hawks and Cats clash at Strauch Reserve.
It was a 43-36 win for Heathcote against North Bendigo on the Saints’ court at Barrack Reserve.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 175 per cent, 44 points; Elmore 173, 44; Mount Pleasant 100, 28; Colbinabbin 94, 20; Huntly 83, 20; Lockington Bamawm United 88.6, 16; Heathcote 88.4, 16; Leitchville-Gunbower 82, 12; North Bendigo 57, 8.
In Saturday’s round 14 action, Elmore and White Hills meet in the battle of second against first at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
Colbinabbin plays Heathcote on the Grasshoppers’ court at M.J. Morgan Reserve.
It’s third against fifth as Mount Pleasant hosts Huntly at Toolleen.
North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower clash on the Bulldogs’ court at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole.