Bombers storm home to big win

Joel Donehue’s team had the opportunity to prove its quality playing at home and started well, edging the first quarter with four goals to the Bulldogs’ three to take a small lead into the first change.

The visitors would have their best period in the second term, laying on four goals while holding Leitchville to only one, the Bombers suddenly needing to refocus as North Bendigo held a 7.3 (45) to 5.5 (35) lead at half-time.

Scoring slowed in the third quarter, as the two sides only exchanged a total of three majors, though Leitchville booted two of them to cut the margin to four points heading into the final period.

The Bombers are no strangers to close encounters this season — their first three matches were decided by less than two goals — and perhaps their recent experience in such scenarios helped them on this occasion.

Leitchville would produce its equal-best quarter of the day in the fourth to eventually walk back the minor half-time deficit, kicking four goals to North Bendigo’s two and claiming a significant 11.9 (75) to 10.8 (68) victory.

Adding to the importance of this win was the Bombers moving up to fourth on the ladder — only behind third-placed Heathcote on percentage — with this weekend’s fixture against seventh-placed White Hills being winnable.