BY NATHAN DOLE
Grasshoppers face Bombers in big game at Colbinabbin
IT’S fourth against second as Colbinabbin hosts Leitchville Gunbower in this Saturday’s round 11 action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition.
The Grasshoppers and Bombers will play at M.J. Morgan Oval from 2.30pm.
These two teams are likely to be in a closely-fought duel to decide a top-three berth and double chance in the run to the finals.
When they met in round two it was the Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Bombers who marked a 54-46 victory against last season’s runner-up at Gunbower.
Both take winning form into this contest.
The LG line-up won last Saturday’s home game against North Bendigo at Leitchville by 16 goals.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin dominated most of the match at Heathcote’s Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to win by 43 goals.
Another important game will be at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval where Lockington Bamawm United takes on Heathcote.
Although it starts the day eight points clear of its nearest rivals in the fight to decide fifth place, Heathcote cannot afford to take LBU lightly.
The Saints will be keen to regain confidence and build its defensive pressure after a 35-78 loss to Colbinabbin last Saturday.
In round two the Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote scored a 51-39 victory against LBU.
The Ash Cullen-coached Cats played the Winslow White Hills Demons on the Demons court last Saturday.
North Bendigo will be back on its court at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to take on Elmore.
Massive test for the Kiralee Kinder and Stacey Kingdon-coached red, white and blue against an opponent refreshed by the bye.
The Bulldogs put in one of their best attacking performances to score 41 goals on Elmore’s court in round two.
At the final siren the Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore led by 11 goals.
Mount Pleasant is up against the Winslow White Hills Demons at Toolleen this Saturday.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues will be determined to hit back after a loss on Huntly’s court at Strauch Reserve.
Unbeaten in its pursuit of back-to-back premierships, the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills looks to have too much running power and goalscoring options for Mounts to hold across four quarters.
When they met in round two the Demons won 56-22 at White Hills.
After last Saturday’s breakthrough victory the Kym Bell-coached Harlowe Huntly Hawks have the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 170 per cent, 36 points; Leitchville Gunbower 136, 28; Elmore 118, 28; Colbinabbin 143, 24; Heathcote 89, 16; North Bendigo 80, 8; Mount Pleasant 77, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 68, 8; Huntly 58, 4.