Echuca tightened its grip on second place on the Goulburn Valley League netball ladder by comfortably defeating Shepparton on Saturday. Photos: Jordan Townrow
Echuca has posted a third straight win in Goulburn Valley League netball, cruising to a 16-goal win over fellow finals contender Shepparton at Deakin Reserve.
Shepparton’s Kim Borger shoots over Ashlea Hare.
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Like the senior football clash, the A-grade netball fixture saw both sides enter having made strong starts to their seasons, Echuca and Shepparton with a 6-1 record and expected to feature in the finals mix this year.
Lauren Jones in-bounds the ball.
The Murray Bombers — also looking to extend a two-game win streak — started the better away from home, racing out to a double-digit lead only 13 minutes in.
Three late first-quarter Bears goals trimmed the margin to eight at the first interval, Echuca leading 17-9.
Keeley O'Dwyer leaps to block Sheridan Townrow.
Bronwyn Slater’s team ramped up its offensive output throughout the second term, scoring seven of the quarter’s first nine goals as Shepparton failed to match Echuca. The visitor netted 19 total in the period to hold a 36-21 advantage at half-time.
Rose Byrne makes a pass.
Despite the comfortable lead Echuca did not take its foot off the gas to begin the second half.
Kimy Borger catches the ball under pressure from Lauren Jones.
The margin reached the 20s four minutes into the third quarter off the back of a run of eight of nine goals, staying in that region entering the final period as the Murray Bombers led 54-33.
Belinda Lees takes possession.
Shepparton finished the game stronger in the fourth quarter — scoring seven of nine goals between the 50th and 54th minutes — but Echuca’s advantage was never under significant threat as it saw out a 66-50 win.
Stephanie Vick looks up the court.
Sheridan Townrow and Belinda Lees posted strong goal-scoring efforts with 29 and 27, respectively, while Rose Byrne complemented the duo with nine.
Bridget Byrne played her 100th game for the club in the win.
The victory for Echuca meant it separated itself from the Bears by four points on the ladder, though the Murray Bombers remain second behind unbeaten Euroa.
Next up, Echuca faces the Magpies in a top-of-the-table clash — one of the bigger fixtures in the competition this season — with Slater’s side not only looking to usurp Euroa into first, but break its current invincibility.
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