BY NATHAN DOLE
Leading teams clash on White Hills court
PREMIERS of the A-grade netball competition across the past two seasons, Winslow White Hills Demons and Elmore meet in this Saturday’s sixth round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
There’s plenty of passes to be caught and goals to be scored as teams are just a third of the way into the home and away series.
The victor of the White Hills and Elmore match at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills will hold the premiership favourites tag.
In pursuit of back-to-back premierships, the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills has won its matches by margins of 42, 34, 30, two, and 20 goals.
Elmore has played one less match, but also has an unbeaten record.
The Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Bloods won their opening three matches by five, 11 and 13 goals.
Latest hit-out at home was against Heathcote.
On Past Players Day as part of Elmore’s 150th year celebrations the A-grade netball team scored a 32-goal win.
Locked on 12 premiership points, Heathcote and Leitchville Gunbower meet in a crucial game at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
A strong start will be the goal for a Heathcote team coached by Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes.
The Saints will be wary of Leitchville Gunbower’s slick work through mid-court.
A new-look Bombers’ team coached by Caitlyn Hamilton has surpassed the 50-goal mark in all four matches.
A great run by LG includes wins against Lockington Bamawm United, Colbinabbin and North Bendigo.
The Bombers played a high-scoring contest against Elmore in round four at Gunbower.
At the final siren, Elmore led 70-57.
Leitchville Gunbower returns to the court after the bye.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks or North Bendigo will pocket their first premiership points of the season when they play at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Both teams were up against two of the league’s best last round.
The Kym Bell-coached Huntly played on Colbinabbin’s court at M.J. Morgan Oval.
There was plenty to like about Huntly’s workrate, but Colbinabbin’s height and skill in attack was tough to match in a 61-27 victory for the green and gold.
North Bendigo had home-court advantage at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street, but could not stop White Hills recording a 59-39 victory.
The Kiralee Kinder and Stacey Kingdon-coached North Bendigo made a promising start to the season in an 11-goal loss at Elmore in round two.
Since then the red, white and blue was outplayed by Leitchville Gunbower, Heathcote and White Hills.
Stung by defeat at Lockington, Mount Pleasant will be fired up for its match against Colbinabbin at Toolleen.
Huge test for the Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant against last season’s runner-up.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin will eye a chance to move into the top three by winning this contest.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 173 per cent, 20 points; Elmore 132, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 138, 12; Heathcote 97, 12; Colbinabbin 115, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 77, 8; Mount Pleasant 73, 4; North Bendigo 66, 0; Huntly 52, 0.