BY NATHAN DOLE
THE heat from the White Hills Demons proved too much for the previously unbeaten Elmore in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball second semi-final on Saturday.
Last season’s grand finalists clashed at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval.
As reigning premier and victorious in both matches against White Hills in the home-and-away series, Elmore went in as favourite.
The Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills capitalised on turnovers and intercepts throughout the first quarter to lead 16-11 at the first break.
The Demons turned up the heat to gain a nine-goal buffer by half-time.
An Elmore team jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards worked hard to cut the margin in the third.
Intensity was high in the last as the Demons fought on for a 57-53 victory and advanced to a sixth consecutive A-grade grand final.
Amy Morrissey was best on court for White Hills as Tahnee Cannan starred for Elmore.
In the A-grade first semi-final, Colbinabbin raced to a seven-nil lead in Sunday’s clash with Mount Pleasant at Elmore.
An experienced Colbinabbin team coached by Jen McIntyre was able to build on its lead in every quarter.
The green and gold went on for a 68-39 victory against the Carine Comer-coached Mount Pleasant.
Ella Kerlin was best for the Grasshoppers as Matisse Perez led the way for Mount Pleasant.
In the A-reserve competition, defensive intensity was high in the second semi between White Hills and Elmore.
The Demons won through to the grand final as they netted a 36-26 victory against the Bloods.
Emily Gloury was best on court for White Hills as Hollie Hildebrandt played well for Elmore.
The lead see-sawed in the opening term of the first semi between North Bendigo and Mount Pleasant.
Scores were nine-all at quarter-time.
It was a closely-fought contest in which North Bendigo was able to claim a 41-37 victory and stay in the premiership race.
Tyeshsa Rainsbury was best for the red, white and blue as Maisy Harrop was Mount Pleasant’s best player.
In the B-grade second semi-final it was White Hills which claimed a 46-41 win against Elmore.
Caitlin McQueen was best for the Demons as Emily Jones played well for Elmore.
The first semi-final between the Harlowe Huntly Hawks and Colbinabbin was dominated by Huntly.
The Hawks led by four goals at quarter-time and by seven at the main break.
Colbinabbin’s defence worked hard to force turnovers, but the Hoppers battled in attack.
Huntly surged clear to record a 49-29 victory.
Best players were Maddison Kennedy for Huntly and Jo Brown for Colbinabbin.
It was a closely-fought second semi in B-reserve between Huntly and White Hills.
The Demons started strongly, but the Harlowe Huntly Hawks fought back.
With fresher legs, White Hills was able to hold on for a 47-44 victory.
Eliza O’Brien was best for the Demons as Nikita Matthews was Huntly’s best.
In the B-reserve first semi-final, North Bendigo charged to a 12-6 lead by quarter-time against Mount Pleasant.
The Blues kept the pressure on, but the Bulldogs were able to record a 31-26 victory.
Lauren Bell was North Bendigo’s best as Lara Bish starred for the Blues.
In the 17-and-under competition, Colbinabbin netted a 45-39 victory in the second semi against Lockington Bamawm United.
Best on court were Grace McIntyre for Colbinabbin and Kasey Stone for the LBU Cats.
In the first semi, Mount Pleasant and Heathcote played out a thriller.
The Blues scored the last goal to clinch a 30-29 victory.
Best players were Georgie Butler for Mount Pleasant and Nicole Foster for Heathcote.
The 15-and-under second semi-final between Mount Pleasant and Elmore was also a thriller.
Mounts was first to the grand final after a 37-36 win against the Bloods.
Best players were Tarli Nihill for the Blues and Ginger Hay for Elmore.
The first semi-final ended in a 36-30 win for Huntly against White Hills.
Bella Clohesy was best for the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
Sunny Childs was best for White Hills.
In the 13-and-under second semi, Lockington Bamawm United’s excellent defence forced several turnovers in the opening term against Heathcote.
LBU led by 15 goals going into the final quarter and went on to record a 34-13 victory.
Sophie Jardine was best for LBU as Emma Wani continued her fine form in the Saints line-up.
It was a one-goal margin in the first semi between Leitchville Gunbower and Colbinabbin.
The LG Bombers won 26-25 as Milla Ryan was best for the winners.
Macey Ryan was Colbinabbin’s best.
Teams in Saturday’s preliminary finals at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve:
A-grade: Elmore v Colbinabbin.
A-reserve: Elmore v North Bendigo.
B-grade: Elmore v Huntly.
B-reserve: Huntly v North Bendigo.
17-under: Lockington Bamawm United v Mount Pleasant.
15-under: Elmore v Huntly.
13-under: Heathcote v Leitchville Gunbower.