The Hawks, led by a strong performance in goals from Ash Jenkyn, produced some of their best netball for the season to win 56-31 at home.

The pink round match, which aims to raise awareness of breast cancer, was well supported, with Jenkyn the recipient of the game ball as the umpires’choice as best on court.

The win over an improved Saints moved the Hawks to 3-2.

Their coach Emily Eliades conceded consistency had been an issue for the Hawks so far this season.

“After the loss to White Hills (in round one) we were really deflated, then after last week’s loss to Elmore you get to thinking that’s exactly where we are at,” she said.

“The challenge against Heathcote was to really pick up our game - we couldn’t afford to back off or slack off.

“We had some excellent shooting and everything just went our way and when it does we are really good.

“But when it doesn’t, that’s when those losses happen.”

Eliades, who is in her second season as coach of the Hawks, praised the performance of Jenkyn.

“She played brilliantly and shot fantastically …. I think she had an 82 per cent shooting rate for the game,” she said.

“We know our shooting conversion has been a bit of a weakness for us, so the girls have been working really hard on that and it showed.”

In defence, Alex Waterman rebounded strongly along with Montana Kekich, while Emma Jenkyn provided strong drive through the midcourt.

The Hawks can now start preparing for a round six encounter against reigning premier Colbinabbin, which had the better of a tight contest against Mount Pleasant.

The Grashoppers, aided by a strong second-half from Allie Nixon, defeated the Blues 49-33.

Dual premiership coach Liz Cobbledick felt the evenness of the contest was not truly reflected on the scoreboard

“It was probably only the second and third quarters where we got away a bit – I think we were only three goals up at quarter time and they finished the last quarter really strongly,” she said.

“We were really happy to come away with the win.

“Our best players were a bit of a mix – everyone played their role.

“Allie Nixon’s second half at wing defence was very good, and Kate Chirnside has really stepped up at goal defence.”

The Grasshoppers also got excellence service from cmidcourter Georgie Rodger.

For Mount Pleasant, goal shooter Megan Baird again impressed with her accuracy under the net, while Chantal Moore and Kate McCann made life tough for the Grasshoppers.

Meanwhile, El Findlay has her first win as North Bendigo coach following the Bulldogs’s 45-35 win over Lockington-Bamawm United, while the White Hills juggernaut continues to roll on after a 66-27 win over Elmore.