Euroa ensured last week’s shock loss to Shepparton Bears was just a small blip on the radar, bouncing back with a thrilling 51-49 victory over a fast-finishing Echuca on Saturday afternoon.
Coming into the game with matching 9-3 records, fourth spot was on the line at Memorial Oval, with both the Magpies and Murray Bombers desperate to keep their dreams of a top-two finish alive.
And after three quarters it seemed the Magpies were well on their way to securing that much-needed win, rediscovering their mojo to open up a 10-goal lead.
But Echuca is a top contender for a reason, and some nifty strategic moves from coach Stephanie Vick saw it roar back into the contest, overpowering the home side to cut the lead down to just two goals in the dying stages.
With both teams out on their feet, the final minutes had all onlookers on the edge of their seats, with the class of Magpies stalwarts Kellie Davidson and Karly Wappett eventually coming to the fore and seeing them to victory.
Recording its 10th and arguably most thrilling win of the season, Euroa coach Ellie Warnock said she was proud of her team’s efforts in the finish.
“I am so proud of how the girls battled through adversity today, it was the first time we’ve had our full side on the court since round four, so it was just great to put it all together like we did,” Warnock said.
“In the end I think the difference was when we lost the ball we worked super hard to win it back, and in that last quarter we had some big moments on the defensive end.
“The main goal was to just settle with the ball when the game got tight, and I think the girls did a great job of that.”
This win served as some excellent redemption on multiple fronts for the Magpies, who looked to not only bounce back from last week’s loss, but remedy the poor performance they produced back in round two.
Warnock said the girls’ ability to put those previous shortcomings behind them was admirable.
“One of the conversations we had during the week was just to forget last game, we had so many unforced errors and made so many silly decisions, so to put this performance in was just incredible,” she said.
“Last time we played Echuca we had such a disappointing loss, which was very much last week’s game against Bears, so we just said to ourselves next time we play them we are going to win.
“They (Echuca) are such a strong team and they really made it difficult for us, but we were just really determined and it showed in the way we played.”
In terms of standouts, Davidson took home best-on-court honours with a clinical performance through the mid-court, while Tylah Marchbank and Bree Poole rounded out the top three.
Warnock said getting so many excellent contributions across the court put them in great stead moving into the finals.
“It (this win) gives us a lot of confidence,” she said.
“At our best we know we can beat any side in the league, it is just about how we turn up on the day.
“We have such an even contribution across the court and hopefully come finals time we can have a real impact.”
Around the courts, Mooroopna held off a gutsy Kyabram outfit 63-54 to maintain its spot in the top two.
A physical game from start to finish, the class of the Cats’ goalers would prove the difference in the end, with the young Bombers sure to take plenty of encouragement from the game.
At Deakin Reserve, Shepparton United delivered a powerful statement, crushing cross-town rival Shepparton Bears 76-42.
Jessie Barnes was at her dominant best in attack, claiming best-on-court honours, while Sophie Garner and Laura Cole offered great support in what was a complete performance by the Demons.