Echuca has jumped back into the Goulburn Valley League A-grade top four with a hard-fought win over Shepparton Swans at John Riordon Reserve.
The Murray Bombers and Swans traded goals for the majority of the first half before Echuca made a break for it in the third quarter, taking a five-goal lead into the final term to set up a grandstand finish.
A fast start to the final stanza helped Echuca stretch its lead out to 15 goals midway through the quarter and, despite a late Swans fightback, it was the Murray Bombers who came away with their ninth win of the season.
Steph Vick, Belinda Lees and Greta Pearson led the charge for Echuca, while Hannah Garner, Shinea Sali and Klarindah Hudson were judged the best for the Swans.
Echuca, which has now drawn level with Mooroopna (third) and Euroa (fifth) on the ladder, also leap-frogged Euroa into fourth spot after the Magpies fell in an upset two-goal defeat to Shepparton Bears in round 12.
Both sides will now meet in a crucial encounter as the chasing A-grade pack strives to reel in Shepparton United (second, 10-2) and Seymour (first, 11-1).
Around the GVL, the Lions comfortably accounted for Benalla by 30 goals, while Rochester’s finals aspirations took another hit with a 20-goal loss to top-four outfit Mooroopna.
Meanwhile, Kyabram returned to the winners’ list with a 62-32 win over Tatura to keep its season alive.
- Echuca’s B-grade jumped into first on the ladder courtesy of a 40-47 victory over the Swans, while B-reserve’s nine-goal win also saw it jump to the top of the table.
In a thrilling top-four shootout, Echuca’s under-17 netballers fought out a draw with the Swans, with scores all tied up at 48 at the final whistle.
The Murray Bombers’ under-15s battled it out in a blockbuster undefeated clash against Shepparton but ultimately fell to their first loss of the season in a narrow five-goal defeat.