BY NATHAN DOLE
White Hills win thrilling grand final rematch
WHITE Hills fought on for a two-goal victory against Colbinabbin in Saturday’s rematch of the ’23 A-grade netball grand final in round four of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Demons and Grasshoppers played out a great match on the White Hills court in Scott Street.
White Hills led 16-14 at quarter-time and 30-27 by half-time.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Demons was never able to break clear as both teams scored 15 goals in the third term.
Although the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin won the last quarter, 17-16, it was White Hills which took the four premiership points in a 61-59 victory.
Elmore ended Leitchville Gunbower’s unbeaten start to the season.
Jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards, Elmore 70-57 on the Bombers’ court at Gunbower.
Although disappointed by the final margin, the Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Leitchville Gunbower has shown it’s a strong contender for a top-five berth.
A strong second term put Heathcote in control of its match with North Bendigo at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
The Saints led 20-14 at half-time and 32-19 at a quarter to go.
A Heathcote line-up jointly coached by Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes bounced back from defeat the previous round to claim a 42-31 win against the Bulldogs.
Highlight for the Kiralee Kinder and Stacee Kingdon-coached North Bendigo was winning the final term, 12-10.
A closely-fought match between the Harlowe Huntly Hawks and Lockington Bamawm United Cats was played out at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Scores were 11-all at quarter-time.
The Ash Cullen-coached LBU led 20-18 by half-time.
Margin stayed the same as both teams added 11 goals in the third term.
The Cats won the last, 11-9, to record a 42-38 victory against the Kym Bell-coached Hawks.
Mount Pleasant had the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 180 per cent, 16 points; Leitchville Gunbower 138, 12; Elmore 119, 12; Heathcote 117, 12; Colbinabbin 100, 4; Mount Pleasant 80, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 62, 4; North Bendigo 66, 0; Huntly 56, 0.
In next Saturday’s fifth round it’s third against fourth as Elmore hosts Heathcote.
North Bendigo is on its court at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to play the unbeaten White Hills.
Colbinabbin and Huntly clash on Colbinabbin’s court at M.J. Morgan Oval.
Lockington Bamawm United faces Mount Pleasant at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.
Round four scoreboard:
A-reserve:
White Hills 58 d Colbinabbin 38, Leitchville Gunbower 49 d Elmore 47, Heathcote 36 lt North Bendigo 49, Huntly 44 d Lockington Bamawm United 43, Mount Pleasant bye.
B-grade:
White Hills 38 d Colbinabbin 28, Leitchville Gunbower 54 d Elmore 35, Heathcote 52 d North Bendigo 35, Huntly 44 lt Lockington Bamawm United 46, Mount Pleasant bye.
B-reserve:
White Hills 60 d Colbinabbin 30, Leitchville Gunbower 37 d Elmore 31, Heathcote 37 lt North Bendigo 49, Huntly 42 d Lockington Bamawm United 34, Mount Pleasant bye.
17-and-under:
White Hills 49 lt Colbinabbin 50, Leitchville Gunbower 42 lt Elmore 45, Heathcote forfeit to North Bendigo, Huntly 44 d Lockington Bamawm United 42, Mount Pleasant bye.
15-and-under:
White Hills 39 d Colbinabbin 21, Leitchville Gunbower 34 lt Elmore 37, Heathcote 46 d North Bendigo 12, Huntly 48 dr Lockington Bamawm United 48, Mount Pleasant bye.
13-and-under:
White Hills 6 lt Colbinabbin 18, Leitchville Gunbower 44 d Elmore 16, Heathcote 54 d North Bendigo 6, Huntly 15 lt Lockington Bamawm United 41, Mount Pleasant bye.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
White Hills 136 per cent, 16 points; Elmore 114, 8; Colbinabbin 101, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 101, 8; Huntly 100, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 98, 8; Mount Pleasant 105, 4; North Bendigo 91, 4; Heathcote 65, 0.
B-grade:
Leitchville Gunbower 164 per cent, 16 points; White Hills 136, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 101, 8; Huntly 108, 4; Elmore 95, 4; Mount Pleasant 85, 4; North Bendigo 76, 4; Heathcote 75, 4; Colbinabbin 70, 4.
B reserve:
Lockington Bamawm United 144 per cent, 12 points; White Hills 122, 12; Colbinabbin 112, 12; North Bendigo 117, 8; Mount Pleasant 116, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 86, 8; Huntly 97, 4; Elmore 68, 0; Heathcote 59, 0.
17-and-under:
Elmore 171 per cent, 12 points; Mount Pleasant 174, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 143, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 115, 8; Huntly 109, 8; Colbinabbin 55, 4; White Hills 67, 0; North Bendigo 58, 0.
15-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 173 per cent, 14 points; Mount Pleasant 340, 12; Elmore 195, 12; Leitchville Gunbower 119, 8; White Hills 71, 8; Colbinabbin 75, 4; Heathcote 55, 4; Huntly 77, 2; North Bendigo 16, 0.
13-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 459 per cent, 16 points; Leitchville Gunbower 298, 12; Elmore 229, 8; Heathcote 196, 8; Huntly 154, 8; Mount Pleasant 129, 8; Colbinabbin 20, 4; White Hills 13, 0; North Bendigo 8, 0.