BY NATHAN DOLE
New-look LG rules North Bendigo court
A NEW-LOOK team from Leitchville Gunbower outpointed North Bendigo in Saturday’s third round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Leitchville Gunbower marked a hat-trick of wins and now hold second place on the ladder.
The Bombers made a strong start on North Bendigo’s court at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street and did not let up.
After building a nine-goal lead by quarter-time the Bombers willingness to compete did not drop.
A 13-goal buffer at half-time blew out to 27 by the final siren as the Bombers marked a 52-25 victory.
Now the focus is on next Saturday’s clash with Elmore, refreshed by the bye, on Leitchville Gunbower’s court at Gunbower.
After being held to a tally of 30 goals in the opening three quarters, Colbinabbin’s mid-court and attack stepped it up in the last to beat Heathcote.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Grasshoppers slotted 17 goals in the last as Heathcote’s struggled to capitalise on defensive intercepts and turnovers.
By the final siren the green and gold led 47-30.
Lockington Bamawm United battled to hold the slick passes from White Hills mid-court at Nichol Trading Oval in Lockington.
The Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills led 13-5 at quarter-time and then won the second term, 16-5.
Best quarter of the match was the third as LBU hit back to score eight goals and just as importantly held the red and black to a tally of 12.
The Demons fired up to win the last, 15-7, and the match, 56-25.
Mount Pleasant marked its first win of the season in a 54-27 result against the Harlowe Huntly Hawks on the Blues’ court at Toolleen.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 242 per cent, 12 points; Leitchville Gunbower 181, 12; Elmore 117, 8; Heathcote 112, 8; Colbinabbin 102, 4; Mount Pleasant 80, 4; North Bendigo 63, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 50, 0; Huntly 44, 0.
Highlight of next Saturday’s fourth round will be the rematch of ’23 grand finalists White Hills and Colbinabbin at Scott Street in White Hills.
Heathcote plays North Bendigo on the Saints’ court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks face Lockington Bamawm United at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Leitchville-Gunbower takes on Elmore at Gunbower.
Mount Pleasant has the bye.
Round three scoreboard:
A-reserve:
North Bendigo 32 lt Leitchville Gunbower 45, Colbinabbin 54 d Heathcote 35, Lockington Bamawm United 31 lt White Hills 50, Mount Pleasant 45 lt Huntly 52, Elmore bye.
B-grade:
North Bendigo 29 lt Leitchville Gunbower 57, Colbinabbin 32 d Heathcote 21, Lockington Bamawm United 30 lt White Hills 45, Mount Pleasant 31 lt Huntly 48, Elmore bye.
B-reserve:
North Bendigo 34 lt Leitchville Gunbower 37, Colbinabbin 48 d Heathcote 39, Lockington Bamawm United 51 d White Hills 33, Mount Pleasant 44 d Huntly 40, Elmore bye.
17-and-under:
North Bendigo 23 lt Leitchville Gunbower 32, Colbinabbin d Heathcote (forfeit), Lockington Bamawm United 51 d White Hills 35, Mount Pleasant 42 d Huntly 28, Elmore bye.
15-and-under:
North Bendigo 2 lt Leitchville Gunbower 52, Colbinabbin 39 d Heathcote 23, Lockington Bamawm United 39 d White Hills 23, Mount Pleasant 72 d Huntly 39, Elmore bye.
13-and-under:
North Bendigo 8 lt Leitchville Gunbower 61, Colbinabbin 10 lt Heathcote 31, Lockington Bamawm United 66 d White Hills 2, Mount Pleasant 14 lt Huntly 26, Elmore bye.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
White Hills 131 per cent, 12 points; Elmore 128, 8; Colbinabbin 117, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 98, 8; Mount Pleasant 105, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 100, 4; Huntly 100, 4; North Bendigo 73, 4; Heathcote 63, 0.
B-grade:
Leitchville Gunbower 167 per cent, 12 points; White Hills 136, 12; Huntly 122, 4; Elmore 118, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 100, 4; Mount Pleasant 82, 4; North Bendigo 81, 4; Colbinabbin 70, 4; Heathcote 54, 0.
B-reserve:
Lockington Bamawm United 178 per cent, 12 points; Colbinabbin 153, 12; Mount Pleasant 116, 8; White Hills 102, 8; North Bendigo 109, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 77, 4; Huntly 87, 0; Elmore 62, 0; Heathcote 54, 0.
17-and-under:
Elmore 236 per cent, 8 points; Lockington Bamawm United 181, 8; Mount Pleasant 174, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 126, 8; Huntly 112, 4; North Bendigo 58, 0; White Hills 57, 0; Colbinabbin 36, 0.
15-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 340 per cent, 12 points; Lockington Bamawm United 227, 12; Elmore 303, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 149, 8; Colbinabbin 89, 4; White Hills 53, 4; Huntly 66, 0; Heathcote 30, 0; North Bendigo 11, 0.
13-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 586 per cent, 12 points; Elmore 2350, 8; Huntly 395, 8; Mount Pleasant 129, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 168, 4; Heathcote 110, 4; White Hills 11, 0; Colbinabbin 8, 0; North Bendigo 7, 0.
PHOTO – Mount Pleasant FNC