Cats win HDFL premiership

THE Cats from Lockington Bamawm United have reigned supreme on the footy field in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League once again.

LBU was under enormous pressure after Mount Pleasant drew within three points in time-on of the final quarter of Saturday’s grand final at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.

The Cats scored the last three goals of a superb contest to mark an 89-69 victory.

LBU made a flying start to lead 31-1 before Mounts scored the last two goals of the first quarter.

The Cats worked hard to gain a 20-point lead by half-time.

A highlight of the third term was the play by LBU forward Anthony McMahon who while on his knees was somehow able to soccer the ball through the goal for a 25-point buffer.

Mounts struck back with goals by Zebb Murrell and captain and co-coach Adam Baird to be within 15 points going into the final term.

A Billy Mahony goal from near the 50-meter arc was answered by LBU, but Travis Baird’s goal in the 21st minute put the Blues within three points.

As it had done in both wins against Mounts in the home-and-away series, LBU responded to the challenge by scoring a hat-trick of goals to complete a brilliant season and hold the premiership cup once again.

The VCFL medal was awarded to LBU’s co-captain Jarod Bacon who kicked five goals to lead an attack that included multiple goals from Ben Fulford and Anthony McMahon, three.

Travis Baird capped a great match with four goals for the Blues.

Mount Pleasant co-coach Darren Walsh said the team gave its all to win its first senior premiership in 16 years.

“We were given a harsh lesson in how to play a grand final in the end,” he said. “LBU is such a strong physical side. We will work on being stronger, better and go even harder next year.”

A closely fought reserves grand final ended in a 64-58 win for Mount Pleasant against White Hills.

Grand final day began with a nine-point victory for White Hills in the under-18s clash with North Bendigo.

The Dogs had won two of the previous three contests with the Demons, but in the match which mattered most it was White Hills which won 59-50.

 

Heathcote District Football League

GRAND FINAL

 

SENIORS

 

Mount Pleasant v Lockington Bamawm United

Mount Pleasant 10.9 (69)

Lockington Bamawm United 13.11 (89)

Goals – Mount Pleasant – T. Baird 4, B. Mahony 1, R. Mcnamara 1, D. Tydell 1, B. Weightman 1, Z. Murrell 1, A. Baird 1

Lockington Bamawm United – J. Bacon 5, B. Fulford 3, A. McMahon 3, T. Leech 1, M. Angove 1

Best – Mount Pleasant – W. Wallace, B. Hinneberg, T. Baird, J. Tuohey, B. Mahony, M. Whiting

Lockington Bamawm United – J. Bacon, M. Angove, N. Bacon, T. Bacon, L. Atherton, T. Phillips

Best on ground – Jarod Bacon, LBU

 

RESERVES

 

White Hills v Mount Pleasant

White Hills 8.10 (58)

Mount Pleasant 9.10 (64)

Goals – White Hills – N. Wharton 3, J. Gardy 2, D. Trull 1, O. Chivers 1, D. Bowles 1

Mount Pleasant – M. Bennett 3, J. Mackenzie 2, J. Craig 1, M. Fitzgerald 1, S. Piper 1, J. Walsh 1

Best – White Hills – M. Curtis, N. Wharton, J. Prentice, H. Richards, L. Monaghan, W. Richardson

Mount Pleasant – J. Hufer, J. Walsh, M. Bennett, T. Griffin, J. Hopley, O. Bish

Best on ground – Mitchell Bennett, Mount Pleasant

UNDER 18S

 

North Bendigo v White Hills

North Bendigo 7.8 (50)

White Hills 8.11 (59)

Goals – North Bendigo – C. Riddick 2, T. Green 1, Z. Barilari 1, B. Barilari 1, M. Lane 1, R. Paetow 1

White Hills – J. Harris 2, Z. Roberts 2, X. Meersbergen 2, S. Boyd 1, F. Banfield 1

Best – North Bendigo – L. Keating, H. Draper, C. Anderson, H. Beale, N. Anderson, R. Paetow

White Hills – J. Harris, M. Griffin, S. Lowes, Z. Roberts, D. Lawler, D. Arnold

Best on ground – Josh Harris, White Hills