Sport

Bombers drop thriller

By Matthew Kappos

Jul 27, 2026

Leitchville-Gunbower is officially out of the finals race after dropping a one goal thriller.

Leitchville-Gunbower was barely bested by a resurgent Elmore, mathematically ending their finals hopes in round 16 of the Heathcote District Netball League.

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You’d be forgiven for doing a double take after looking at Elmore’s past five fixtures.

After winning twice in the first 11 rounds the Bloods are now on a run of four victories in five, the purple patch taking them all the way into the top five.

It wasn’t convincing at the weekend at Leitchville Recreation Reserve, but with both sides making a last desperate push for finals, it was Elmore that held its nerve to claim the 44-43 victory.

Leitchville had been battling with the lower to mid-table sides throughout the season, but hasn’t been able to get over the line in enough fixtures to keep in finals contention, picking up three wins and a draw so far.

The result ends the Bombers’ finals chances officially, while sending the Bloods above Huntly and into fifth-place, the first time Elmore has been in the finals spots all season.

With two rounds left, Leitchville-Gunbower has North Bendigo and White Hills remaining on its schedule, visiting the Bulldogs next Saturday.