The Cats’ 15.15 (105) to 2.8 (20) win over the Demons, paired with Colbinabbin’s surprise five-point loss to North Bendigo, sees LBU jump ahead of the Hoppers and into first place.
LBU coach Brodie Collins said it was good to be on top, but added there was still plenty of work left for his side to do.
“I think we have played some good footy, but I think we have a lot of improvement in us. I don’t think we have hit our peak yet by any means,” Collins said.
“While it’s good to be there, we still have to beat everyone in the second half of the season. Hopefully we can keep getting better and better and priming ourselves for the back half of the year. We haven’t earned top spot just yet.”
After LBU’s big win over Elmore the previous week, scores were level at quarter-time in a blustery day out at Lockington, with both sides kicking 2.3.
But the Cats were in total control from that point on, booting 13 goals while restricting the Demons to just five behinds to claim their eighth win of the season.
Collins said his team had a slow start in the windy conditions, but managed to make the adjustment after the first quarter.
“Once we got a feel for the conditions, we started playing some good footy. It just took a little bit of adjusting and then away we went,” he said.
“We started using the ball a little better and a little smarter. Rather than having turnovers, we started making use of our possessions.”
Collins said it wasn’t all easy, however, adding he was pleased with his side’s defensive efforts.
“We put our foot on the throat, but it was still a fair grind,” he said.
“They had plenty of chances down forward and it wasn’t like it was just a complete shut out. Our defensive effort was strong as a team.”
Collins said Thomas Leech and Charlie Hinks were two players who impressed him at the weekend.
Leech was the leading goal scorer for LBU with four majors, while Lachlan Atherton, Jesse Collins and Anthony McMahon booted two goals each.
On the netball court, White Hills showed why it is one of the top teams in the competition with a strong 60-35 win over the Cats.
The Demons have lost just once so far this season and their eight wins have them sitting in second spot on the ladder.
The loss is LBU’s second in a row, but both defeats have come against the top two sides in the league, Elmore and White Hills.
The Cats will have a chance to get back on the winners’ list this Saturday when they take on Heathcote.
The game
Lockington Bamawm United: 2.3, 6.7, 10.10, 15.15 (105)
White Hills: 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8 (20)
Best
LBU: Thomas Leech, Charlie Hinks, Lachlan Atherton, Tyler Phillips, Jacob Gardiner, Joseph Wolfe
White Hills: James Davies, Nicholas Wallace, Patrick Eefting, Doolan Nihill, Ben Bacon, Bayden Fallon
Goals
LBU: Thomas Leech 4, Lachlan Atherton, Jesse Collins, Anthony McMahon 2, Jarod Bacon, Stanley Brentnall, Brodie Collins, Ben Fulford, Rhys Woodland
White Hills: Rhys Irwin, Nico McKinley