Echuca United picked up its first win of the Murray Netball League season by defeating Cobram on Saturday.
All three local sides competing in Murray Netball League enjoyed victories for the first time this season, as Echuca United got off the mark by beating Cobram, Tongala edged Rumbalara in a thriller and Moama cruised past Finley.
Echuca United v Cobram
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Although the Eagles were winless, the visit of a Cobram side that had lost four straight offered a decent opportunity to break their duck.
Leesa Hooppell’s young side traded blows with the Tigers throughout a close-fought first quarter, which culminated in Cobram taking a one-goal lead into the first break.
The second period would be just as close, with neither side able to pull away from the other as Echuca United netted eight and Cobram seven, the two teams deadlocked at 22-22 at half-time.
The game was waiting for its first significant run and the Eagles delivered it to begin the second half, netting seven of the first eight goals scored in the third quarter, opening up a 35-27 advantage heading into the fourth.
It was a run that not only gave Echuca United a buffer, but ultimately secured it victory, as the final period would see both sides again go blow-for-blow, exchanging 10 goals each as the Eagles maintained their eight-goal margin to win 45-37.
Eliza Pearce netted each of the goals in the third quarter run and concluded the match with 32, being aided by 10 from Tiah Hooppell.
Victory for Echuca United means Congupna is now the only side without a win, as the Eagles move up to ninth with a better percentage than Finley.
Next up is a tougher test against a red-hot Moama in the Three Jacks Trophy, though Echuca United enters the clash with growing confidence.
Rumbalara v Tongala
Tongala edged past Rumbalara in a back and forth encounter at Mercury Drive, Shepparton.
Tongala was in a good vein of form ahead of a huge clash against fellow finals contender Rumbalara, the Blues having won five and only lost once since a round one loss to Nathalia.
The clash was expected to be close and followed that script early, as neither side was able to create genuine separation on the scoreboard, though Rumba held a three-goal advantage at the first break.
Each side was able to go on a run in the second, Tongala first netting eight of nine goals between the 20th and 25th minutes before Rumbalara closed the half by scoring eight of 11, leading 28-26 at half-time.
The Blues started the stronger in the second half, scoring 11 of the first 14 goals in the third quarter to at one stage open up a six-goal lead, though Rumba slowly halved that deficit ahead of the fourth as Tongala held a slender 42-39 advantage.
Rumbalara pushed hard to overturn the margin during the final period, the score at one stage 47-46 before the Blues produced a run that would ensure their victory.
Tongala scored six of seven goals between the 52nd and 57th minutes to reinstate a six-goal lead and the Blues held on despite Rumba netting four of the final five goals, winning 54-51.
Milly Brock led all scorers for Tonny with 26 and Chicquita Vick contributed heavily with another 23 goals.
The Blues are now up to third on the ladder having won six of their past seven, ahead of fourth-placed Moama on percentage, but only a win off second-placed Mulwala.
Tongala is still two wins off league leader Nathalia, which is one of only two sides it has lost to, and the Blues and Purples will reacquaint themselves with each other next in what should be a close round 10 encounter.
Finley v Moama
Moama notched a fourth consecutive victory by defeating Finley by 20 goals.
Moama has been in excellent form since a round five defeat at Nathalia, having ripped off three consecutive wins ahead of a trip to Finley.
The Magpies were favoured to beat the struggling Cats, but the hosts were up to the challenge early, at one stage leading 7-5, though Moama scored six of the first quarter’s final eight goals to lead 11-9 heading into the second.
The visitors upped the ante after the first break to take full control of proceedings, scoring 13 of the second quarter’s first 14 goals, culminating in a double-score lead at half-time, with Moama suddenly up 27-12.
Despite netting only three goals in the second period, Finley showed resilience in the third quarter, scoring eight of its first 10 goals to cut the margin to back under 10.
But Moama responded with five of six goals to close the period, holding a solid 35-22 lead entering the fourth.
Perhaps not pleased with the way it opened the previous period, Moama came out firing to begin the fourth quarter, netting eight of its first 11 goals to effectively secure a fourth straight victory.
The Magpies’ two attacking bursts in the second and fourth quarters, where they scored 16 goals in each, were decisive as they ran out 51-31 winners.
Jinaya Nurse led the way in the goal scoring department for Moama, netting 28, while Holly Swatton 16 of her own.
Carri Carter’s side sits fourth on the ladder eight games into its season, with the aforementioned Three Jacks Trophy clash up next against Echuca United.
