DESPITE being under pressure for most of its match against Mount Pleasant, North Bendigo managed to hold on to win its eighth-straight game.
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The Bulldogs have now faced every team in the Heathcote District Netball Association and have had a clean sweep of wins.
North Bendigo coach Tamara Gilchrist said it was good to get the win against such a strong opponent.
She said out of all the teams in the league, the game against Mount Pleasant was the toughest.
“It was a game that could have gone either way, it was very close across the four quarters,” Gilchrist said.
“It was a great contest and was probably one of the best games of netball for both teams.
“It was good, clean netball.”
The final score was 38 to 36 in favour of the Bulldogs.
Gilchrist praised the efforts of goal attacker Jacquline Button.
“She was the standout,” she said.
“She was the one to stand up when the team was challenged.
“Bec Smith was getting double teamed for most of the day, so it was good to see her get into the game.
“She barely missed.”
At the halfway point of the season, North Bendigo sit on top of the ladder, six points ahead of last year’s premiers Colbinabbin.
Gilchrist declared her team still has room for improvement.
“I know we are not playing at our best at the moment, so there is definitely room for improvement,” she said.
“We want to make sure we finish in that top three at the end of the season and play finals.”
Gilchrist said the good netball was a result of the club recruiting well over the past two years.
“Across all grades, North Bendigo has been doing well,” she said.
“We have been building nicely.”
White Hills also had a thrilling one goal victory over Lockington-Bamawm United.
Their fifth-win of the season has now put White Hills into the top four.
Coach Jody Chant said the skill level on show between the two teams was high.
“We had a really good start which was pleasing because we had a good start last week, too,” she said.
“Then we really struggled in the second quarter which was a bit nervy.
“But our defenders were working tirelessly and the mid-court managed to bring the ball down the court, but we couldn’t score.”
Chant said it was great to see the A-grade team hold on and win 26 to 25.
“We had a three goal lead and Lockington got an injury and then we got an injury so that really disrupted the flow of the game in the last quarter,” she said.
“They scored the next two goals, but the whistle blew and we had won the game.
“It was a confidence boosting win.”
Lockington-Bamawm United coach Amy Halloran said it was a a defenders game.
"It was well fought-out," she said.
"I thought we played well with the injuries we had.
"We didn't let the injuries we got before the game and during the game rattle us.
"They weren't serious injuries, everyone should be back next week and we will be back to full strength."
Halloran said despite the loss, her team could still make finals.
"You just have to look at Colbinabbin, they came from fifth last year to win the premiership," she said.
"We want to be hitting our straps at the right time of the year."
In other HDNA games from round nine, Colbinabbin had a big win over Elmore.
The 79 to 23 win has put the Grashoppers into second spot on the ladder.
Leitchville-Gunbower also had a close win over Huntly.
The final score was 34 to 28.
Heathcote had the bye this round.