BY NATHAN DOLE
ELMORE won another closely-fought A-grade netball clash with White Hills in Saturday’s fourth round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The rematch of the 2022 grand finalists was played on Elmore’s court.
Just as it was last September, Elmore claimed victory.
The Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore led 14-13 at quarter-time and then took control in the second to gain a six-goal buffer by the main break.
It was 15-all in the third and 14-all in the second as the Bloods won 62-56 against the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills.
A thriller was played out between North Bendigo and Huntly at Hibo Hotel Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
The Kym Bell-coached Huntly began its pursuit of back-to-back wins by being in front, 11-10 at quarter-time.
Huntly then led 24-20 by the main break.
Quarter three was dominated by the Shellie Davies-coached North Bendigo as it scored 16 goals and kept the Hawks to just nine.
Although Huntly won the final term, 9-8, it was the red, white and blue which claimed a 44-42 victory and the premiership points.
Lockington Bamawm United started well to score 11 goals and trail Colbinabbin by just four at quarter-time on Lockington’s court.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin then clicked up a few gears as it slammed on 22 goals to lead 37-14 by half-time.
The Jessie Hardess-coached LBU kept working hard, but Colbo had all the answers on its way to a 79-30 victory.
Mount Pleasant marked a 57-38 win against Leitchville Gunbower at Toolleen.
It was victory number three for the Carine Comer-coached Blues who are third on the ladder.
Heathcote had the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 168 per cent, 16 points; Colbinabbin 156, 12; Mount Pleasant 101, 12; White Hills 200, 8; North Bendigo 101, 8; Huntly 80, 4; Heathcote 75, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 60, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 40, 0.
In next Saturday’s fifth round, Heathcote marks its return from the bye when it plays Elmore on the Saints’ court at Barrack Reserve.
White Hills is at home to take on Mount Pleasant at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street.
Leitchville Gunbower hosts Lockington Bamawm United at Leitchville.
Colbinabbin faces North Bendigo on the Grasshoppers’ court at M.J. Morgan Reserve.
Huntly has the bye.
Round four scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Elmore 31 lt White Hills 39, Lockington Bamawm United 48 d Colbinabbin 44, Mount Pleasant 52 d Leitchville Gunbower 31, North Bendigo 18 d Huntly 13, Heathcote bye.
B-grade:
Elmore 40 lt White Hills 49, Lockington Bamawm United 53 d Colbinabbin 33, Mount Pleasant 35 d Leitchville Gunbower 28, North Bendigo 42 lt Huntly 45, Heathcote bye.
B-reserve:
Elmore 45 lt White Hills 50, Lockington Bamawm United 38 d Colbinabbin 29, Mount Pleasant 73 d Leitchville Gunbower 21, North Bendigo 42 lt Huntly 48, Heathcote bye.
17-and-under:
Elmore 36 d White Hills 24, Lockington Bamawm United 45 d Colbinabbin 35, Mount Pleasant 48 d Leitchville Gunbower 19, North Bendigo 25 lt Huntly 51, Heathcote bye.
15-and-under:
Elmore 30 lt White Hills 32, Lockington Bamawm United 43 d Colbinabbin 23, Mount Pleasant 29 d Leitchville Gunbower 28, North Bendigo 23 lt Huntly 73, Heathcote bye.
13-and-under:
Elmore 29 d White Hills 8, Lockington Bamawm United 40 d Colbinabbin 9, Mount Pleasant 8 lt Leitchville Gunbower 42, North Bendigo 1 lt Huntly 40, Heathcote bye.
Netball ladders after four rounds:
A-reserve:
White Hills 184 per cent, 12 points; Elmore 145, 12; North Bendigo 143, 12; Colbinabbin 111, 8; Huntly 88, 8; Mount Pleasant 94, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 82, 4; Heathcote 77, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 54, 0.
B-grade:
Huntly 123 per cent, 16 points; White Hills 202, 12; North Bendigo 118, 8; Elmore 115, 8; Mount Pleasant 106, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 248, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 93, 4; Colbinabbin 82, 4; Heathcote 38, 0.
B-reserve:
Huntly 144 per cent, 16 points; White Hills 711, 12; Mount Pleasant 149, 12; Elmore 402, 8; North Bendigo 107, 4; Colbinabbin 78, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 61, 4; Heathcote 48, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 42, 0.
17-and-under:
Heathcote 227 per cent, 12 points; Lockington Bamawm United 165, 12; Huntly 114, 12; Mount Pleasant 119, 8; Colbinabbin 94, 8; Elmore 90, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 66, 4; North Bendigo 59, 0; White Hills 52, 0.
15-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 258 per cent, 16 points; Huntly 195, 12; White Hills 194, 12; Elmore 168, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 73, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 61, 4; Heathcote 55, 4; Colbinabbin 44, 0; North Bendigo 37, 0.
13-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 510 per cent, 12 points; Huntly 272, 12; Leitchville Gunbower 223, 12; Heathcote 139, 12; Colbinabbin 88, 8; Elmore 79, 4; Mount Pleasant 29, 4; White Hills 47, 0; North Bendigo 3, 0.