Echuca-Moama picked up a crucial A-grade win over SYC Hockey Club to keep its Goulburn Valley Hockey Association season rolling.
The River Rats claimed their second win of the season in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over SYC at Echuca College, with Troy Kenny’s corner conversion proving the difference.
Echuca-Moama’s win over SYC squares the ledger between the two sides at one win apiece this season after the River Rats’ narrow 3-4 defeat back in round two.
Echuca-Moama currently sits in third with a 2-5 record, two games behind the second-placed SYC.
A-grade squad member and club president Adam Thompson said it was a positive response from the squad after a 1-3 defeat to Mooroopna last week.
“I think we played some of our better hockey for the year,” Thompson said.
“I thought we could have got a couple more goals in, but it ended up 1-0, which is still a good result.
“Troy Kenny played at full-back and he was good shifting the ball around the field. Hugh Berryman also had a good game along with Regan More.”
The River Rats now have a challenging assignment ahead, with a round 8 match-up against GVHA ladder leaders Strikers Hockey Club.
The Strikers are undefeated from seven starts and boast a goal differential of 50-3. In their previous clash against Echuca-Moama, the Strikers managed to put nine goals past an undermanned River Rats.
“That wasn’t pretty, but it was definitely our most disappointing game of the year,” Thompson said.
“We’re hoping to improve on that (result). We’re looking to have a few more numbers back compared to what we had last time.
“We hope to stay close to them, but they’re a very good side.”
With five rounds to play in the regular season, the Strikers look poised to wrap up the top-place grand final spot.
SYC is also well-positioned in second, the first spot in the grand final playoff match, while Echuca-Moama in third currently holds the other spot.
Mooroopna sits a game behind Echuca-Moama in last place.
In B-grade, Echuca-Moama held on to second spot with a thrilling 4-3 win over the Strikers.
Jason Hensley snagged a brace while Adrian Rose and Tom Kerr each managed to convert.
The River Rats’ under-17 side, sitting in second place, had a bye over the weekend, while the under-14 squad fell to a narrow 0-2 defeat to SYC.