BY NATHAN DOLE
HEATHCOTE is back in the top five on the A-grade netball ladder after Saturday’s eighth round in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Saints overturned a three-goal deficit at quarter-time of the match on North Bendigo’s court at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street to lead 22-19 by the long break.
In the third it was Heathcote which dominated through mid-court and attack.
Jointly coached by Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes, Heathcote scored 15 goals to six in the crucial third term and also won the last, 12-10.
At the final siren the Saints led 49-35 against the Shellie Davies-coached North Bendigo.
The league’s top three teams all marked impressive victories.
Colbinabbin outplayed Leitchville Gunbower on the Grasshoppers’ court at M.J. Morgan Oval in Colbinabbin.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin won 70-38 against the Gemma Angove-coached Bombers.
Lockington Bamawm United faced a daunting task against the unbeaten Elmore.
The Jessie Hardess-coached LBU worked hard, but could not stop the Bloods’ run through mid-court to a powerful attack.
Jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards, Elmore won 88-18.
Huntly played White Hills on the Hawks’ court at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
The Kym Bell-coached Huntly did well to score 38 goals against a powerful opponent.
At the final siren the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills led 55-38.
Mount Pleasant had the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 182 per cent, 28 points; White Hills 209, 24; Colbinabbin 160, 24; Mount Pleasant 88, 16; Heathcote 99, 12; North Bendigo 76, 12; Huntly 77, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 53, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 50, 4.
Round eight scoreboard:
A-reserve:
North Bendigo 32 d Heathcote 19, Lockington Bamawm United 27 lt Elmore 45, Huntly 36 lt White Hills 50, Colbinabbin 67 d Leitchville Gunbower 36, Mount Pleasant bye.
B-grade:
North Bendigo 53 d Heathcote 23, Lockington Bamawm United 28 lt Elmore 54, Huntly 46 lt White Hills 49, Colbinabbin 47 d Leitchville Gunbower 38, Mount Pleasant bye.
B-reserve:
North Bendigo 69 d Heathcote 17, Lockington Bamawm United 15 lt Elmore 41, Huntly 54 d White Hills 46, Colbinabbin 46 d Leitchville Gunbower 24, Mount Pleasant bye.
17-and-under:
North Bendigo 19 lt Heathcote 37, Lockington Bamawm United 55 d Elmore 32, Huntly 30 d White Hills 25, Colbinabbin 25 lt Leitchville Gunbower 34, Mount Pleasant bye.
15-and-under:
North Bendigo 45 d Heathcote 15, Lockington Bamawm United 30 lt Elmore 46, Huntly 46 d White Hills 25, Colbinabbin 23 lt Leitchville Gunbower 35, Mount Pleasant bye.
13-and-under:
North Bendigo 2 lt Heathcote 36, Lockington Bamawm United 21 d Elmore 8, Huntly 24 d White Hills 5, Colbinabbin 5 lt Leitchville Gunbower 40, Mount Pleasant bye.
Ladders after eight rounds:
A-reserve:
White Hills 149 per cent, 28 points; Elmore 163, 24; North Bendigo 130, 24; Huntly 92, 16; Colbinabbin 114, 12; Mount Pleasant 95, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 84, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 65, 4; Heathcote 62, 4.
B-grade:
White Hills 163 per cent, 28 points; Huntly 130, 24; Elmore 141, 20; North Bendigo 128, 20; Mount Pleasant 104, 12; Lockington Bamawm United 85, 12; Colbinabbin 80, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 68, 4; Heathcote 43, 0.
B-reserve:
Huntly 166 per cent, 28 points; North Bendigo 231, 20; Mount Pleasant 156, 20; White Hills 114, 20; Elmore 161, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 75, 12; Colbinabbin 70, 8; Heathcote 34, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 39, 0.
17-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 177 per cent, 28 points; Heathcote 151, 24; Leitchville Gunbower 94, 18; Colbinabbin 101, 16; Huntly 97, 16; Mount Pleasant 105, 14; Elmore 81, 8; White Hills 65, 4; North Bendigo 63, 0.
15-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 311 per cent, 28 points; Huntly 242, 24; White Hills 137, 20; Elmore 148, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 91, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 69, 12; North Bendigo 52, 8; Heathcote 41, 4; Colbinabbin 46, 0.
13-and-under:
Leitchville Gunbower 263 per cent, 28 points; Lockington Bamawm United 318, 24; Heathcote 172, 24; Huntly 217, 20; Colbinabbin 88, 12; Elmore 95, 8; White Hills 57, 8; Mount Pleasant 25, 4; North Bendigo 9, 0.
It’s a general bye for the King’s Birthday holiday weekend of June 10-12.
Clubs reach the halfway mark of the home-and-away series on June 17 when round nine will be played.
White Hills and Colbinabbin meet on the Demons’ court at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills.
Lockington Bamawm United is at Lockington to take on Mount Pleasant.
It’s the Bloods versus Bulldogs as Elmore hosts North Bendigo.
Heathcote takes on Huntly on the Saints’ turf at Barrack Reserve.
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.