LBU’s Stacy Bacon attempts to bring the ball under her control.
The finals race appears to have narrowed to six teams after round 14 of the Heathcote District Netball League.
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Lockington-Bamawm United’s realistic hopes of appearing were dashed, while the league leaders are close to locking in their top-two finishes.
The round
Leitchville-Gunbower 49 d Lockington-Bamawm 43
Mount Pleasant 64 d Elmore 25
Heathcote 13 lt Colbinabbin 76
White Hills 37 d North Bendigo 31
Huntly bye
Leitchville-Gunbower vs Lockington-Bamawm United
Leitchville-Gunbower still has an outside chance of playing finals after it defeated LBU by six goals at Leitchville Recreation Reserve.
A win for the visitors would have put them up into sixth and only four points off fifth, but the Bombers put a dent in the Cats’ post-season aspirations by winning a tight encounter 49-43.
Jodie Lake was among Leitchville-Gunbower’s best as it defeated Lockington-Bamawm United in the Heathcote District Netball League. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Both meetings between the sides were closely contested in 2026, LBU having narrowly beaten Leitchville-Gunbower by four goals back in round five.
The Bombers’ victory in this latest meeting was their second in three matches, putting them into seventh with a 3-8-1 record, and they are now only six points off fifth-placed North Bendigo.
Leitchville-Gunbower’s Carmen Dye takes the shot.
But to scrape into the post-season mix, Katie Pollock’s team would likely have to beat sides currently above it on the ladder, with clashes against North Bendigo, unbeaten league-leader Colbinabbin and sixth-placed Elmore on the horizon.
Meanwhile, defeat for LBU saw it drop to eighth with a 3-10 record, with the Cats now eight points adrift of the finals spots.
Sarah Eade looks to feed a goaler in the circle.
Mount Pleasant vs Elmore
Mount Pleasant didn’t let the defeat to Colbinabbin affect its form this week, comfortably getting past Elmore.
The Mounts dominated the game at home, rolling through their lower-table opponents 64-25.
The Bloods remain one win outside the top five and, with a favourable draw over the final month, could still be well-positioned for a finals run.
Mount Pleasant is close to locking in second spot, two matches clear with four weeks remaining.
Olivia Watson and Carmen Dye fight for possession.
Heathcote vs Colbinabbin
A battle between the top and bottom of the table didn’t throw up any surprises as Colbinabbin routinely defeated Heathcote at Barrack Reserve.
The first term was particularly lopsided, the Saints managing just a single goal while Colbo piled on 24.
Heathcote improved somewhat in the later terms, but the Grasshoppers remained several levels ahead of the league strugglers in a dominant 76-13 victory.
Annalesa Turner throws the chest pass.
Colbinabbin has almost secured the minor premiership, two games clear with four rounds to play, while Heathcote is a game adrift at the bottom of the table.
The week’s remaining game saw White Hills deal with North Bendigo 37-31.
Huntly had the bye in round 14.
Kelly Burns catches the ball in the goal circle.
This Saturday, Elmore could go level on points with the finals sides as it takes on Heathcote at home, while fifth-placed North Bendigo faces a challenging visit from Mount Pleasant.
Colbinabbin hosts Leitchville-Gunbower, while LBU faces a home fixture against Huntly. White Hills has the bye.
Jessie Hardess moves it in mid court.
Sarah Ogden looks for a way around the defence of Kelly Burns.
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