BY NATHAN DOLE
Bombers net crucial win against Colbinabbin
LEITCHVILLE GUNBOWER has shown it’s a strong challenger for a top-five berth in A-grade netball after Saturday’s victory against Colbinabbin in round two of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
A new-look Bombers team coached by Caitlyn Hamilton has already matched last season’s win tally of two.
Leitchville Gunbower followed up a first-round win at Lockington by scoring an eight-goal win against a skilful Colbinabbin on the Gunbower court.
There were 100 goals scored in a high quality contest which went the Bombers way, 54 to 46.
Victory has put Leitchville Gunbower in second place going into next Saturday’s match on North Bendigo’s court.
Another great match was played at Elmore where the home team withstood a spirited challenge from a new-look North Bendigo.
The Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore led 18-11 at quarter-time.
From there it was a closely-fought contest as the North Bendigo team, coached by Kiralee Kinder and Stacee Kingdon kept the pressure on the Bloods.
At the final siren Elmore led 52-41.
Heathcote overcame a slow start on its court at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve to beat Lockington Bamawm United by 12 goals.
The Ash Cullen-coached LBU played well to lead 24-21 at half-time.
After the break it was the Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote which lifted its defensive intensity in all thirds of the court.
The Saints capitalised on their teamwork to win the half, 30-15, and the match, 51-39.
White Hills made it two-from-two when it beat Mount Pleasant at the Scott Street ground in White Hills.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Demons teamed superbly to hold a 34-goal lead when the match was ended early after mid-court recruit Amanda Walters sustained a broken leg in the final term.
The serious injury was a major setback for the Demons and for Walters who had crossed to the club from South Bendigo and had starred against the Blues.
Huntly had the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 252 per cent, 8 points; Leitchville Gunbower 171, 8; Heathcote 144, 8; Elmore 117, 8; Colbinabbin 88, 0; North Bendigo 78, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 53, 0; Mount Pleasant 50, 0; Huntly 40, 0.
In next Saturday’s action, Colbinabbin is on its court at M.J. Morgan Oval to play Heathcote.
North Bendigo clashes with the unbeaten Leitchville Gunbower at The Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
Lockington Bamawm United faces a tough ask against unbeaten reigning premier White Hills at Nichol Trading Oval in Lockington.
Mount Pleasant and Huntly clash on the new-look Toolleen court.
Elmore has the bye.
Round two scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Leitchville Gunbower 46 lt Colbinabbin 58, Elmore 41 d North Bendigo 31, Heathcote 36 lt Lockington Bamawm United 52, White Hills 50 d Mount Pleasant 41, Huntly bye.
B-grade:
Leitchville Gunbower 63 d Colbinabbin 37, Elmore 40 lt North Bendigo 50, Heathcote 23 lt Lockington Bamawm United 54, White Hills 45 d Mount Pleasant 28, Huntly bye.
B-reserve:
Leitchville Gunbower 28 lt Colbinabbin 43, Elmore 34 lt North Bendigo 44, Heathcote 19 lt Lockington Bamawm United 47, White Hills 47 d Mount Pleasant 33, Huntly bye.
17-and-under:
Leitchville Gunbower 74 d Colbinabbin 28, Elmore 46 d North Bendigo 23, White Hills 26 lt Mount Pleasant 52, Lockington Bamawm United bye, Huntly bye.
15-and-under:
Leitchville Gunbower 31 d Colbinabbin 22, Elmore 48 d North Bendigo 9, Heathcote 25 lt Lockington Bamawm United 66, White Hills 16 lt Mount Pleasant 64, Huntly bye.
13-and-under:
Leitchville Gunbower 63 d Colbinabbin 2, Elmore 40 d North Bendigo 3, Heathcote 14 lt Lockington Bamawm United 24, White Hills 9 lt Mount Pleasant 28, Huntly bye.
Standings after two rounds:
A-reserve:
Elmore 128 per cent, 8 points; Lockington Bamawm United 120, 8; White Hills 119, 8; Mount Pleasant 118, 4; Colbinabbin 103, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 87, 0; Huntly 85, 0; Norht Bendigo 75, 0; Heathcote 62, 0.
B-grade:
Leitchville Gunbower 156 per cent, 8 points; White Hills 130, 8; North Bendigo 125, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 119, 4; Elmore 118, 4; Mount Pleasant 95, 4; Huntly 94, 0; Colbinabbin 53, 0; Heathcote 51, 0.
B-reserve:
Lockington Bamawm United 197 per cent, 8 points; Colbinabbin 175, 8; White Hills 130, 8; North Bendigo 129, 4; Mount Pleasant 120, 4; Huntly 83, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 64, 0; Elmore 62, 0; Heathcote 40, 0.
17-and-under:
Elmore 236, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 245, 4; Mount Pleasant 200, 4; Huntly 182, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 122, 4; White Hills 52, 0; North Bendigo 50, 0; Colbinabbin 36, 0.
15-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 618 per cent, 8 points; Elmore 303, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 259, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 73, 4; White Hills 51, 4; Huntly 93, 0; Colbinabbin 61, 0; Heathcote 22, 0; North Bendigo 18, 0.
13-and-under:
Elmore 2350 per cent, 8 points; Lockington Bamawm United 315, 8; Mount Pleasant 238, 8; Huntly 883, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 168, 4; Heathcote 58, 0; White Hills 18, 0; North Bendigo 7, 0; Colbinabbin 2, 0.
PHOTO: Colbinabbin FNC