BY NATHAN DOLE
Colbinabbin ups pressure against Bloods
COLBINABBIN will raise the pressure when it takes on the Elmore Bloods in Saturday’s 12th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
It’s third against second on Colbinabbin’s court at M.J. Morgan Oval from 2.30pm.
Unless the ladder-leading White Hills stumbles dramatically in the next six rounds, Colbinabbin and Elmore are likely to meet in week one of the finals.
Last September it was Colbinabbin which ended Elmore’s tilt at back-to-back premierships when it won the preliminary final.
When they tipped off this season at Elmore, it was the Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Bloods who marked a 57-52 victory.
Both teams are in form.
Elmore won its latest hit-out at North Bendigo by 16 goals and the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin beat Leitchville Gunbower by eight goals on the Grasshoppers’ court.
Heathcote will eye a great chance to surge clear of those fighting to take its spot on the fifth rung.
The Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote team will be on its court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to face Mount Pleasant from 3pm.
Both clubs have had some exciting duels in recent seasons.
In round one it was the Saints who won 53-33 at Toolleen.
Heathcote marked one of its best matches of the season in last Saturday’s clash at Lockington.
The Saints won 57-28.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant worked hard in a 40-55 loss at home to the unbeaten White Hills.
It’s a 1.15pm start as Leitchville Gunbower plays Lockington Bamawm United at Leitchville.
The Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Bombers could climb back to the third rung by beating the Ash Cullen-coached LBU Cats.
A new-look LG team started the season in fine style when it won on Lockington’s court by 42 goals in the first round.
The Winslow White Hills Demons are home at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street to take on the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
Massive test for the Kym Bell-coached Huntly against the reigning premier.
North Bendigo has 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.