Round nine of the Heathcote District League took place over the King’s Birthday long weekend, delivering a mix of thrilling football clashes and expected results.
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The pick was Mount Pleasant remarkably recording a second draw this season, this time against Heathcote, while Lockington-Bamawm United bounced back from defeat last time out with a big win over Elmore.
RESULTS
Round nine
Mount Pleasant 15.8 (98) drew with Heathcote 15.8 (98)
Elmore 12.8 (80) lost to Lockington-Bamawm United 19.12 (126)
White Hills 14.17 (101) lost to Leitchville-Gunbower 18.6 (114)
North Bendigo 18.6 (114) d Huntly 8.8 (56)
Colbinabbin bye
Mount Pleasant sat with a strong record of six wins and a draw after seven games, the reigning premier picking up where it left off last season, with its latest test coming against a much-improved Heathcote outfit.
The Mounts made a solid start at Toolleen Recreation Reserve, booting six first-quarter majors, although the visiting Saints stayed attached with four of their own, only trailing by 13 points at the first change.
The two sides matched each other during the second quarter, each kicking 3.3, as Mount Pleasant maintained its quarter-time lead at the main break, holding a 9.5 (59) to 7.4 (46) advantage.
The clash continued to entertain the neutral punters in the third quarter, another free-scoring period seeing nine total goals exchanged, with the hosts outscored and seeing their lead reduced.
Heathcote edged the term with five goals to four, the Mounts only up by six points entering the fourth quarter.
The Saints made up their half-time deficit in the final term, edging Mount Pleasant’s quarter total by exactly a goal — 3.2 to 2.2 — which meant the host incredibly drew for the second time in three matches, 15.8 (98) to 15.8 (98).
Ben Weightman was arguably Mount Pleasant’s best on the day, kicking a game-high seven majors, and he was recognised for his contribution in the best players list alongside William Wallace, Jack Hickman, Xavier Carter, Joshua Hann and Alex Wharton.
No side in the HDL’s previous four seasons recorded two draws, a statistic now assigned to Cam Carter’s Mount Pleasant, which is still top of the ladder, but now only four points clear of second-placed Colbinabbin.
The Mounts will have another home test this weekend, facing a Leitchville-Gunbower side that has won three in a row.
Elmore vs Lockington-Bamawm United
Elmore and Lockington-Bamawm United both entered a clash at Elmore Recreation Reserve needing to win but for differing reasons, as the Bloods sat bottom of the ladder and the Cats were outclassed by Colbinabbin last time out.
LBU made the stronger start away from home, booting five majors in the first quarter, although Elmore remained in the contest with three of its own, only trailing by 13 points at the first change.
The goalmouth action continued during the second term as the two sides traded 11 majors, the Cats again winning the period with six goals to five to marginally extend their advantage at half-time, leading 11.6 (72) to 8.5 (53).
The third term is often referred to as the ‘premiership’ quarter, and LBU proved why after the main break.
The Cats took total control of proceedings with five goals to Elmore’s one, with the Bloods suddenly staring at a seventh loss of the season, down by 48 points entering the fourth quarter.
Elmore did manage to win the final quarter, but it did so without making significant inroads on the scoreboard, with its 3.3 to LBU’s 3.1 only marginally reducing the final margin, the Cats winning 19.12 (126) to 12.8 (80).
There were impressive goal-kicking performances on both sides, with five for Lachie Gawel and four for James Harney leading Elmore’s ranks, while LBU had key contributors in Brayden Hull, Jesse Collins and Thomas Leech, who booted five, four and three, respectively.
Hull and Collins were also included in the Cats’ best with Patrick Keele, Nick Smart, Bowden Stone and Marcus Angove, while Peter Rothacker, Ashton Sinn, Darcy Irwin and Ethan Sinn joined Gawel and Harney on Elmore’s list.
Another loss for the Bloods means they remain bottom, although only on percentage from Huntly. Meanwhile, Jayden Howe’s LBU side is looking up again with its fifth win from eight matches, sitting third and only a win off second.
LBU will be on the road again for a test against fellow finals contender North Bendigo this weekend, with Elmore also away from home, facing Colbinabbin.
Elsewhere in the HDL, White Hills and Leitchville-Gunbower played out a shoot-out at White Hills Recreation Reserve, which the visiting Bombers won by 13 points.
L-G held a 32-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and seemed destined for a big win. The Demons rallied, but not enough to overturn the deficit as the Bombers prevailed 18.6 (114) to 14.17 (101).
North Bendigo lost to L-G in round eight but responded with a big win over Huntly at North Bendigo Oval.
The Bulldogs held a comfortable 22-point lead at three-quarter time but didn’t rest on their laurels, producing a strong final term with seven goals to one to end up thrashing the Hawks 18.6 (114) to 8.8 (56).