Elmore fell at home to Leitchville-Gunbower, while Colbinabbin and Mount Pleasant scored comfortable wins in round seven of Heathcote District Football League.
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The round
Elmore 7.10 (52) lt Leitchville-Gunbower 14.9 (93)
White Hills 13.10 (88) lt Mount Pleasant 21.9 (135)
Colbinabbin 13.12 (90) d Huntly 7.9 (51)
North Bendigo 20.18 (138) d Heathcote 13.10 (88)
Lockington-Bamawm United bye
Elmore v Leitchville-Gunbower
The Bloods had hopes of picking up a second win of the year on home turf, while the Bombers were chasing the four points in order to return to parity for the year and keep in touch with the finals pack.
Both sides showed determination in the first period and there was little between them at the first break, Leitchville ahead by a single point, but the visitor would push on in the second, kicking four goals to two to take a 14-point advantage into the main break.
Needing to turn things around, Elmore went backwards after the break, giving up four more goals and failing to strike truly when it had the opportunity, kicking five points in a goalless term.
Now well on top, the Bombers tacked another five onto their lead in the final term to prevail 14.9 (93) to 7.10 (52).
Lachie Munro was Elmore’s best in attack, kicking three goals, while James Harney added two.
Leitchville-Gunbower were led by the two-pronged punch of Jack Dye and Billy Hawken (three goals each), while four other players slotted two.
The Bloods are now well off the pace at 1-5, while the Bombers sit outside the top five on percentage at 3-3.
White Hills v Mount Pleasant
Coming off an enthralling draw in the grand final rematch the previous week, it was back to business as usual for the Mounts, running up a big score over White Hills.
The Demons scored well in their own right and actually took a 25-14 lead into quarter-time, but Mount Pleasant found its time to strike in the second.
In maybe the most dominant quarter this season, the Mounts kicked 11.2 (68) in the second period, blowing the game open, as White Hills stood stunned after an eight-point period of their own.
Suddenly up 49 points, the Mounts took the foot off the gas a little after the break and the Demons won the third to restore some hope, but it was the premier’s day as Mount Pleasant closed it out 21.9 (135) to 13.10 (88).
Ben Weightman went wild up front with nine majors, while Strahan Robinson’s five-goal game for White Hills unfortunately won’t live long in the memory compared to the Mounts’ dominant performance.
Mount Pleasant is yet to taste defeat in its title defence at 6-1-0, while White Hills has looked better this year, but still languishes at 2-4.
Colbinabbin v Huntly
Colbinabbin got its work done early to set up a 39-point win over Huntly at home at Colbinabbin Recreation Reserve.
The Grasshoppers kicked five goals to two in the opening term to surge into a 21-point lead and kept the Hawks at arm's length through the rest of the game.
Colbo won the second and third by modest margins to stretch the lead beyond doubt, before Huntly edged an uneventful final term for a final score of 13.12 (90) to 7.9 (51) in the Hoppers’ favour.
The hosts shared the ball around up front, four players kicking two goals to lead the way on the scoreboard.
The Hoppers remain on the heels of Mount Pleasant, six points back with a 5-2 record, while Huntly is yet to taste victory this campaign.
In the final game of the round, North Bendigo turned around a 15-point first-quarter deficit to breeze by Heathcote 20.18 (138) to 13.10 (88).
Lockington-Bamawm United had the bye.
Leader Mount Pleasant will sit out this weekend, opening the door for the chasers to close in on top spot.
Colbinabbin and Lockington-Bamawm will clash in an intriguing battle between second and third at Lockington Recreation Reserve, while Huntly will host Elmore.
Leitchville-Gunbower is home at Gunbower Recreation Reserve to take on North Bendigo, while White Hills travels to Heathcote.