Despite a valiant effort, and equalling its highest score for the season, Lockington-Bamawm United wasn’t able to best third-placed Mount Pleasant in round 11 of Heathcote District Football League action.
Travelling to Toolleen Recreation Reserve, the Cats got off to a cracking start, nailing five majors in the first quarter to take a single point advantage at the first break.
While LBU continued to impress with a 3.2 effort in the second quarter, the mighty Mounts were in a league of their own, drilling 6.7 to not only take the lead, but create a 22-point gap at half-time.
The third term was a downturn in attacking productivity for both teams, but that didn’t stop the Cats slotting another three goals to stay in the contest, despite Mount Pleasant bagging four.
One of the main issues for LBU throughout the season has been its inability to play four quarters of football.
Well, in this game, that wasn’t an issue.
Remaining consistent with another three-goal effort to round out their day, the Cats were simply outmatched by Mount Pleasant, falling 36 points short.
The four-quarter performance by LBU had it reach its joint-highest score this season, 14.7 (91).
Unfortunately, the Cats couldn’t match the Mounts’ consistent goal-kicking production, with the host finishing its day with 19.13 (127).
LBU’s Matthew Butler and Thomas Leech tallied five-goal bags in the contest, with Butler joining Brodie Collins, Bowden Stone, Stuart Taylor, Noah Turner and Tyler Phillips in the best contingent.
The Cats are in for another test in round 12 when they face second-placed Grasshoppers at Colbinabbin Recreation Reserve.
White Hills vs Elmore
The Bloods weren’t convincing against a struggling White Hills but they got the job done by 10 points.
Elmore won the first quarter dominantly, 38-13, at White Hills Recreation Reserve and looked set to run up a big score, but the Demons had other ideas.
White Hills won each of the remaining three quarters, but their margins weren’t enough to close the gap, Elmore taking the game 12.15 (87) to 11.11 (77).
James Harney was up to his usual tricks, kicking five goals to lead the Bloods scorers.
Colbinabbin vs Heathcote
Colbinabbin comfortably accounted for the Saints, although a strong third period would have given the Grasshoppers a few nerves.
Colbo looked to be in control, up 31 at the half, but Heathcote put up a 3.2 (20) to 0.3 (3) third quarter to draw the Hoppers back into the game.
The more favoured Colibinabbin recovered in the fourth to seal the game 14.8 (83) to 6.13 (69) and keep the Saints winless.
Brandyn Grenfell slotted three majors to be the Hoppers’ scoring leader.
Leitchville-Gunbower vs Huntly
Leitchville-Gunbower is knocking on the door of the top four thanks to a one-goal victory over Huntly in round 11.
Despite being outscored by Huntly (2) down the stretch, L-G (1.3) did enough to hang on and claim a one-goal victory over a higher-placed side on the road.
The 7.9 (51) to 6.9 (45) victory holds the Bombers steady in fifth position on the ladder, but they are now only a game back from snatching Huntly’s position in the top four.