BY NATHAN DOLE
Grasshoppers leap to third rung on ladder
COLBINABBIN’S crucial win against Leitchville Gunbower has put the Grasshoppers in third place on the A-grade netball ladder after Saturday’s round 11 action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin surged clear of the Bombers in the final quarter of a terrific contest at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval.
The green and gold outscored the visitors, 18-11 in the last term to claim a 62-54 victory against the Caitlyn Hamilton-coached LG team.
Mount Pleasant was up against the unbeaten Winslow White Hills Demons at Toolleen.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues worked hard, but the Lauren Bowles-coached Demons were too strong.
At the final siren the Demons led 55-40.
Just as it did earlier in the season, North Bendigo put in a spirited performance against the powerful Elmore team.
The Kiralee Kinder and Stacy Kingdon-coached North Bendigo worked hard on their court at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to finish within 16 goals of the Bloods.
An Elmore team jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards marked a 48-32 victory.
Stung by a 40-plus goal loss at home to Colbinabbin the previous round, Heathcote bounced back in style on Lockington Bamawm United’s court at Nichol Trading Oval.
The Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Saints brought a much higher level of defensive intensity to this contest.
Heathcote won all quarters in a 57-28 win against the Ash Cullen-coached LBU.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks had the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 167 per cent, 40 points; Elmore 121, 32; Colbinabbin 140, 28; Leitchville Gunbower 128, 28; Heathcote 97, 20; North Bendigo 78, 8; Mount Pleasant 76, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 66, 8; Huntly 58, 4.
In next Saturday’s round 12 action it’s third against second as Colbinabbin plays Elmore at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval.
Heathcote will be up against Mount Pleasant on the Saints’ court at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
Leitchville Gunbower faces Lockington Bamawm United at Leitchville.
The Winslow White Hills Demons are home at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street to take on the neighbouring Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
North Bendigo has the bye.
Round 11 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Colbinabbin 53 d Leitchville Gunbower 41, Lockington Bamawm United 45 d Heathcote 34, Mount Pleasant 35 lt White Hills 52, North Bendigo 28 lt Elmore 56, Huntly bye.
B-grade:
Colbinabbin 22 lt Leitchville Gunbower 55, Lockington Bamawm United 58 d Heathcote 38, Mount Pleasant 29 lt White Hills 54, North Bendigo 57 d Elmore 39, Huntly bye.
B-reserve:
Colbinabbin 40 lt Leitchville Gunbower 43, Lockington Bamawm United 48 d Heathcote 29, Mount Pleasant 31 lt White Hills 63, North Bendigo 34 lt Elmore 39, Huntly bye.
17-and-under:
Colbinabbin 26 lt Leitchville Gunbower 50, Lockington Bamawm United d Heathcote (forfeit), Mount Pleasant 54 d White Hills 24, North Bendigo 24 lt Elmore 41, Huntly bye.
15-and-under:
Colbinabbin 25 lt Leitchville Gunbower 35, Lockington Bamawm United 67 d Heathcote 25, Mount Pleasant 51 d White Hills 30, North Bendigo 14 lt Elmore 53, Huntly bye.
13-and-under:
Colbinabbin 3 lt Leitchville Gunbower 63, Lockington Bamawm United 33 d Heathcote 10, Mount Pleasant 45 d White Hills 11, North Bendigo 12 lt Elmore 32, Huntly bye.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
White Hills 130 per cent, 36 points; Elmore 141, 28; Huntly 119, 28; Colbinabbin 104, 20; Leitchville Gunbower 101, 20; Mount Pleasant 98, 20; Lockington Bamawm United 97, 20; North Bendigo 77, 4; Heathcote 57, 0.
B-grade:
Leitchville Gunbower 165 per cent, 40 points; White Hills 127, 36; Lockington Bamawm United 118, 28; Huntly 133, 24; North Bendigo 81, 12; Heathcote 76, 12; Elmore 86, 8; Mount Pleasant 78, 8; Colbinabbin 65, 8.
B-reserve:
White Hills 167 per cent, 36 points; Lockington Bamawm United 127, 32; Huntly 124, 24; Mount Pleasant 99, 20; North Bendigo 100, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 75, 16; Heathcote 77.4, 12; Colbinabbin 77.1, 12; Elmore 71, 8.
17-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 172 per cent, 36 points; Huntly 114, 24; Lockington Bamawm United 136, 22; Elmore 123, 22; Leitchville Gunbower 101, 16; White Hills 75, 6; North Bendigo 60, 6; Colbinabbin 60, 4.
15-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 286 per cent, 40 points; Lockington Bamawm United 174, 34; White Hills 112, 24; Elmore 111, 24; Huntly 122, 18; Leitchville Gunbower 100, 16; Heathcote 61, 12; Colbinabbin 76, 8; North Bendigo 15, 0.
13-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 406 per cent, 40 points; Leitchville Gunbower 475, 36; Elmore 195, 24; Huntly 142, 24; Heathcote 115, 20; Mount Pleasant 87, 20; Colbinabbin 31, 8; North Bendigo 27, 4; White Hills 17, 0.
Photo – Colbinabbin FNC