Round 13 of the Heathcote District Football League saw the race for the finals heat up.
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Mount Pleasant placed one hand on the minor premiership with a win over Colbinabbin, while Lockington-Bamawm United’s hopes of featuring in the post-season were dealt a blow with a loss to Heathcote.
Elsewhere, Elmore picked up its second win of the season by beating White Hills.
RESULTS
Round 13
Colbinabbin 9.7 (61) lost to Mount Pleasant 14.8 (92)
Lockington-Bamawm United 7.4 (46) lost to Heathcote 10.11 (71)
Elmore 10.10 (70) d White Hills 7.9 (51)
Huntly 14.8 (92) d Leitchville-Gunbower 7.7 (49)
North Bendigo bye
Colbinabbin vs Mount Pleasant
A strong first half display was key for Mount Pleasant as it won away to Colbinabbin by 31 points, with the result seeing the Mounts move two games clear at the top of the ladder.
Cam Carter’s side took the initiative in the first quarter, booting four goals to Colbo’s one to lead by 20 points at the first change.
The Mounts kicked 4.3 in the second term — the same total they posted in the first — although the Hoppers improved with three majors in reply.
Despite Linton Jacobs’ team starting to find its groove in attack, it still faced a 28-point deficit at half-time, with Mount Pleasant leading 8.6 (54) to 4.2 (26).
Colbo built on a better second quarter by winning the third, kicking 4.4 to Mount Pleasant’s 3.1 to reduce the margin going into the fourth.
The hosts needed another strong push to come back from 19 points down, but Carter’s side rediscovered its defensive steel from the first quarter to secure a comfortable victory.
Mount Pleasant booted 3.1 again in the final term, but this time kept Colbo to just 1.1 at the other end, culminating in a 14.8 (92) to 9.7 (61) win.
Brodie Leonard-Shannon’s five majors stole the show for the visitors. He was in Mount Pleasant’s best alongside Jack Hickman, Jett Nicholas, Deklan Wille, Xavier Carter and Oliver Bish.
Colbinabbin’s list included Isaac Carracher, Angus Martin, Jude Ryan, Clint Shields, Alex Van Ruiswyk and Benjamin Barton.
The second-placed Hoppers are now unlikely to catch the Mounts in first on the ladder and may now have to make sure they maintain their finals spot.
Third-placed North Bendigo and fourth-placed Heathcote are now only two points behind Colbo.
Jacobs’ side travels for a big game away to Heathcote next, while Mount Pleasant will be heavily favoured to notch three consecutive wins at home to Elmore.
Lockington-Bamawm United vs Heathcote
Lockington-Bamawm United’s place in the finals spots is in a precarious position after Heathcote defeated the Cats by 25 points at Lockington Recreation Reserve.
The two sides were evenly matched, with the Saints a touch better in each quarter to gradually increase their lead throughout.
LBU only trailed 15-13 at the first change, with Heathcote also marginally winning the second quarter with 3.3 to the Cats’ 2.2 as the visitors took a 5.6 (36) to 4.3 (27) lead into half-time.
The hosts had plenty of time to make up the minor deficit, but for the second straight week, their attack dropped off after the main break.
Only one major was booted in the third quarter, which went the way of Heathcote, as the Cats could only register a solitary behind.
Despite their offensive drop-off in the term, the Cats were still in the contest entering the fourth, but Heathcote produced its best quarter of the match to put them away.
The Saints kicked 4.5 in the final quarter, and although LBU improved with three majors, it was unable to find the right balance to overturn the margin, which ended up being extended as the Cats went down 7.4 (46) to 10.11 (71).
LBU only had one multiple goal-kicker on the day — Nicholas Sheldon leading the way with two majors — while Bowden Stone, Patrick Keele, Charlie Hinks, Cooper Mitchell, Marcus Angove and Tyler Phillips were named the best players.
The Cats (6-6) are still fifth on the ladder and occupying the last finals spot, although sixth-placed Leitchville-Gunbower (5-6) is only four points behind and has a game in hand.
The Bombers will host LBU this weekend in a monumental clash, the result of which could make or break either side’s season.
Elmore vs White Hills
Elmore emerged victorious in a clash between the competition’s two bottom sides, the Bloods defeating White Hills by 19 points at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
The match was a see-sawing affair, with Elmore’s first and fourth quarter displays being decisive.
The Bloods raced out to a 30-13 quarter-time lead, having kicked five straight goals to open the encounter, and then marginally increased their lead in the second term with 3.3 to White Hills’ two straight majors.
Leading 8.3 (51) to 4.1 (25) at half-time, Elmore was in a strong position, but the Demons benefited from the main break.
White Hills came back out and took control of the third quarter, kicking three majors while holding the Bloods to just two behinds.
Elmore’s half-time lead had been cut to just five entering the final term, but it was able to flip the script to secure victory.
In the fourth, the Bloods re-found their scoring touch with two goals, which was enough as this time the Demons were held goalless, Elmore running out a 10.10 (70) to 7.9 (51) winner.
A second win of the season for Luke Freeman’s side was built off the boot of James Harney, who kicked four majors and was named in Elmore’s best with Matthew O'Dwyer, Joseph Harney, Rhys Holmberg, Hayden Trewick and Jarrad Kyne.
The Bloods (2-9) are still bottom of the ladder, but now only marginally behind second-bottom White Hills on percentage and with a game in hand.
Elmore travels to Mount Pleasant this weekend for its next fixture.
In round 13’s only other game, Huntly defeated Leitchville-Gunbower by 43 points at Strauch Reserve, with seven goals from Sam Dunstan key to the Hawks’ third win in four matches.