North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower were forced to settle for a draw in round 11 of the HDFNL A-grade netball competition.
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Lightning and heavy rain forced the players off the court before half-time and the game was declared a draw.
The result leaves the Bulldogs one game and percentage behind fifth-placed Elmore.
Leitchville-Gunbower is a further two points behind in seventh place.
Elmore's top three hopes took a hit when it suffered a 50-37 loss to Huntly on Saturday.
The Bloods and Hawks were level on points going into the clash and it was Huntly who earned the crucial victory.
Elmore had beaten the Hawks by four goals in round two, but this time Huntly proved too strong.
Elmore needs to win at least three of its next four games against Leitchville-Gunbower, White Hills, Mount Pleasant and North Bendigo to have any chance of earning the double chance for the finals.
In the remaining two games of the round, top two teams Colbinabbin and White Hills outclassed their opponents.
Ladder leader Colbinabbin made it 10 wins from as many games when it thrashed Lockington-Bamawm United 60-14.
Second-placed White Hills cruised to a 43-20 win over fourth-placed Mt Pleasant at Toolleen.
A-grade ladder: Colbinabbin 40, White Hills 32, Huntly 24, Mt Pleasant 22, Elmore 20, North Bendigo 16, Leitchville-Gunbower 14, Heathcote 4, Lockington-Bamawm United 4.
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