BY NATHAN DOLE
NORTH Bendigo and Heathcote face huge challenges in Saturday’s 14th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
Going into Saturday’s clash it’s Heathcote which is fifth and 23 percentage points clear of the Bulldogs.
The North Bendigo line-up is on its court at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street to take on Colbinabbin this round.
After a bye, Heathcote is back home at Barrack Reserve to take on the unbeaten Elmore.
An upset win for the Dogs or Saints would make it extremely difficult for the other to climb into the top five.
Now being coached by Imogen Davies, North Bendigo will be fired up after a 53-47 loss to the Kym Bell-coached Harlowe Huntly Hawks last Saturday.
Massive task for the Bulldogs to bounce back from defeat against a Colbinabbin line-up which is third on 36 points.
Back in round five the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin dominated play at M.J. Morgan Reserve to record a 60-32 win against the red, white and blue.
Heathcote travels across to Elmore to take on the unbeaten reigning premier.
In round five the Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote was within four goals of the Bloods at quarter-time.
From there Elmore capitalised on some short lapses in concentration by the Saints to roll to a 62-44 victory.
The Saints face an opponent which beat White Hills by 12 goals in the rematch of the 2022 grand finalists last round.
Key players for an Elmore team jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards include Tahnee Cannan, Cayde Hayes and Maddy Keating.
Mount Pleasant faces a White Hills team on the rebound from just its second defeat of the season on the Toolleen court.
The Carine Comer-coached Blues struck back after a hat-trick of defeats to score a 64-44 victory against Leitchville Gunbower at Gunbower last round.
Huge challenge for Mounts against the Lauren Bowles-coached Demons.
In round five, White Hills beat the Blues by 17 goals.
Lockington Bamawm United or Leitchville Gunbower will net their second win of the season when they clash at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
In round five the Jessie Hardess-coached LBU marked its first win of ’23 when it beat the Bombers by 13 goals.
The Gemma Angove-coached LG team will be just as determined to claim a win on the Cats court.
Huntly has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 177 per cent, 48 points; White Hills 182, 36; Colbinabbin 136, 36; Mount Pleasant 95, 24; Heathcote 103, 20; North Bendigo 80, 20; Huntly 83, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 54, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 50, 4.