Coach Stacy Bacon played her 150th for Lockington-Bamawm in the final round.
The Heathcote District Netball League season has come to a close and, although, the grand final looks to be a foregone conclusion, the remaining finals sides won’t want to go quietly.
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For local clubs Lockington-Bamawm United and Leitchville-Gunbower, the round marked the end of the road for their respective campaigns, both sides eliminated after middling campaigns.
Elmore v Lockington-Bamawm United
Having already locked in a finals spot the previous weekend, a resurgent Elmore continued its great second half of the season, taking down the Cats at Lockington.
Lockington hung around in the first half after going down five in the first quarter, 13-8, the Bloods unable to do much to extend their lead in the second.
The game remained in the balance at half-time, but Elmore came out of the break with a burst of quality, breaking the game open to lead by a more comfortable 12 goals at the final change.
The Cats kept the margin steady in the fourth, but couldn’t make any inroads, the Bloods prevailing 55-43.
Elmore improves to fourth spot, completing what has been a remarkable mid-season turnaround.
After going 2-6 in the first fixture cycle, the Bloods reversed the result to post 6-2 in the second go round, only falling to top two sides Colbinabbin and Mount Pleasant.
The Bloods have the lucky draw of a home elimination final this Sunday, battling North Bendigo at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
Lockington ends the season in 7th place, posting 4-12.
Leitchville-Gunbower v White Hills
Leitchville-Gunbower finished the year on a strong note, pushing top three side White Hills in a close defeat.
Battling a confirmed finals side, the Bombers ended the season with a strong perfromance, pushing White Hills all the way at home at Leitchville Recreation Reserve.
The third placed Demons had to work for everything and the game remained in doubt late, but the favoured side managed to hold on to its narrow lead to grab the win 44-41.
The Bombers finish their year in eighth after logging a 3-1-12 record.
White Hills has been in shaky form of late and will go into the qualifying final with Mount Pleasant, at Heathcote, as a heavy underdog.
In other results, the Mounts crushed Heathcote 112-20, and Huntly took down North Bendigo 53-40.
Colbinabbin sat out the weekend with the bye and will do so again this week after finishing in top spot.
The Grasshoppers will battle the winner of the Mount Pleasant v White Hills at White Hills Recreation Reserve on Sunday, August 22.
A 2025 rematch between Colbo and Mount Pleasant looks the most likely grand final at this stage, with the Grasshoppers undefeated and the only side to get past the Mounts.
