BY NATHAN DOLE
HEATHCOTE will be doing all it can to stop a red-hot White Hills team in Saturday’s 12th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The fourth-placed Saints are on their court at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve to take on the Demons.
When these teams met under lights at Winslow Constructors Oval in round three it was the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills which claimed a 68-23 victory.
The Saints line-up was without co-coach and mid-court star Brooke Bolton for that match.
Bolton will be on court for Heathcote this Saturday along with top goalshooter Annalyse Carroll.
A Saints’ team jointly coached by Kelsey Hayes played a brilliant opening quarter to lead 18-4 at the first break of last Saturday’s match against Leitchville Gunbower at Gunbower.
Heathcote went on to win 70-31 and climbed a rung to fourth after Mount Pleasant was beaten by Huntly.
The White Hills team is back on court after a bye.
A talented team in the red and black includes Amy Morrissey, Karly Hynes, Tegan Elliston and Olivia Treloar.
Lockington Bamawm United is home at Nichol Trading Oval to play the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
The Jessie Hardess-coached LBU is on the rebound from a 21-goal loss to North Bendigo.
Another big ask for the Cats against a Huntly line-up which played great netball last Saturday to defeat Mount Pleasant, 38-35 at Strauch Reserve.
The Kym Bell-coached Hawks beat LBU by 12 goals in round three and have sights on a third victory.
Mount Pleasant takes on Colbinabbin at Toolleen.
The Blues and Grasshoppers are on the rebound from defeat.
In round three it was the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin which claimed the McTaggart-Conroy Cup after a 71-35 victory against Mounts on the Grasshoppers’ court at M.J. Morgan Oval.
Colbo will be keen to strike back after a 33-goal loss at home to Elmore last round.
The Carine Comer-coached Blues will also be smarting after a three-goal loss at Huntly.
Mount Pleasant is locked in a duel with Heathcote and North Bendigo to decide who will occupy fourth and fifth by the end of the home and away series.
The unbeaten Elmore is on its court to face Leitchville Gunbower.
Jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards, Elmore marked another outstanding game at Colbinabbin last round.
The unbeaten Bloods won 81-48 and there skilful mid-court, strong defence and formidable attack will test the Bombers in every quarter.
North Bendigo has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 182 per cent, 40 points; White Hills 203, 32; Colbinabbin 133, 28; Heathcote 108, 20; Mount Pleasant 91, 20; North Bendigo 80, 20; Huntly 76, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 53, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 49, 4.