Elmore kept its finals hopes alive with a comeback, upset win over White Hills.
It was an interesting round of blockbuster results with a top-of-the-table clash and an unlikely upset as Heathcote District league netball approaches its run home.
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The round
Colbinabbin 63 d Mount Pleasant 53
Elmore 46 d White Hills 37
Lockington-Bamawm 41 d Heathcote 36
Huntly 54 d Leitchville-Gunbower 29
North Bendigo bye
Colbinabbin vs Mount Pleasant
The top-of-the-table clash and the smart money’s pick for a second straight grand final meeting didn’t disappoint.
The Mounts went as close as anyone to toppling the unbeaten defending champion, but the Grasshoppers held firm to score yet another victory by 10 goals, 63-53.
The first half was a true arm wrestle, with almost nothing between the teams.
The sides went into the first break locked at 15 goals apiece and by half-time Colbo had only managed to creep ahead by one.
Colbinabbin again got the best of Mount Pleasant, the two sides looking likely for another grand final collision come September.
The Hoppers finally established a more significant break in the third quarter, getting out to a 45-39 advantage, and the reigning premier closed out well against a game Mount Pleasant side, getting the lead to double digits by the final whistle.
Colbinabbin has likely now locked up the minor premiership, its perfect 12-0 record now two games clear of the Mounts, and with a significant percentage advantage.
Elmore vs White Hills
Elmore pulled off the surprise result of the round, stunning third-placed White Hills and keeping the door open for a late finals push.
It looked like the Demons were set to cruise to an expected victory after dominating the first quarter 15-5, but the Bloods had other plans on their home court.
By half-time, Elmore had its nose in front 22-21 and it continued to push on in the third to open up a three-goal lead.
White Hills would have hoped to quash the comeback in the fourth, but Elmore kept its levels high and surged further clear to claim the victory 46-37.
The Demons are likely secure in third with a significant gap to the sides above and below, but the win could be critical for Elmore (4-7), which is now just a game below North Bendigo in the fight for the last finals position.
Lockington-Bamawm United vs Heathcote
The Cats also kept their faint finals dreams alive with a hard-fought win over bottom-of-the-table Heathcote.
Lockington got an early jump to lead by three at quarter-time, but couldn’t make much headway over the middle quarters, that lead remaining steady at 29-25 heading into the last.
The Saints threw all they could at the hosts in the final term, but the Cats continued to hold firm, winning by five, 41-36.
Lockington trails the finals places by two wins, and with only four games remaining on its schedule, one fewer than the sides around them, it looks an uphill climb for the Cats to make the top five.
The remaining game saw Leitchville-Gunbower visit Huntly.
The last time the two sides clashed, nothing could separate them in a thrilling 49-all draw.
Unfortunately for the Bombers, that was not the case in the round 13 reverse fixture.
At Strauch Reserve in Huntly, the Hawks burst clear after a competitive first quarter and didn’t look back on the way to a 54-29 win.
North Bendigo had the bye this week.
Next week’s fixtures see Lockington-Bamawm travel to Leitchville, while Mount Pleasant will host an Elmore side in good touch.
Bottom will host top as Colbinabbin travels to Heathcote, while White Hills and North Bendigo will clash.
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