BY NATHAN DOLE
Bombers step into den at White Hills
THE Bombers from Leitchville Gunbower step into the den of the Winslow White Hills Demons in this Saturday’s 16th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
After a 53-all draw at Elmore last round, White Hills is back on its court in Scott Street as first takes on fourth.
When these clubs met in round seven it was the Lauren Bowles-coached Demons who fought on for a 48-40 victory at Gunbower.
The Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Bombers will be determined to put in another confidence-lifting performance against the reigning premier.
Despite last Saturday’s windy conditions it was LG which adapted well to beat fifth-placed Heathcote by 10 goals on the Leitchville court.
The Bombers are guaranteed a finals berth and will want to play well against White Hills, Huntly and Mount Pleasant in the run to start of finals on the weekend of August 17 and 18.
The run for White Hills to complete the home-and-away series will be at Heathcote’s Pigeon Park on August 3 and then a bye.
Mount Pleasant takes on North Bendigo at Toolleen.
The Blues and Bulldogs are both on the rebound from defeat.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant was on the end of a 30-goal defeat on Colbinabbin’s court at M.J. Morgan Oval last Saturday.
North Bendigo endured a 34-35 loss on its court at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street against the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
In round seven it was the Blues who outplayed the Kiralee Kinder and Stacey Kingdon-coached North Bendigo to win by 13 goals.
The Bulldogs start this match four premiership points and six per cent behind the Blues.
Harlowe Huntly Hawks meet Elmore at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
The Kym Bell-coached Hawks jumped a rung following the win at North Bendigo.
Massive challenge against the Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore as it tunes up for another finals campaign.
Lockington Bamawm United faces Colbinabbin at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
In round seven it was the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin which won by 40-plus goals against the Cats.
Runner-up last season, Colbinabbin is in great form.
The Ash Cullen-coached LBU had the bye last round and will be aiming to win a quarter or possibly more against the second-placed team in green and gold.
Heathcote Saints have the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 158 per cent, 50 points; Colbinabbin 144, 44; Elmore 122, 42; Leitchville Gunbower 126, 36; Heathcote 93, 28; Mount Pleasant 78, 12; Huntly 61, 12; North Bendigo 72, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 66, 8.