Echuca-Moama flattened the A-grade men’s landscape to an even spread at the weekend thanks to a 2-1 victory over SYC Scorchers in the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association.
Each of the A-grade outfits sit on three points apiece, including Strikers, after Echuca-Moama earned its first triumph of the season in hotly contested fashion.
The River Rats’ hard-hitting attack put Scorchers’ defence to the test early and, though it was able to keep the visitors at bay for extended periods, Echuca-Moama was clinical on the counter and took the spoils thanks to goals from Adam Thompson and Regan More.
Scorchers struck through Matthew Irwin, who starred alongside Paul Irwin.
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Sizing up: SYC’s Seth Watson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 9
The masked swinger: SYC’s Gavin Ralston. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 9
At the races: Echuca-Moama’s Adam Thompson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 9
Bounding over: SYC’s Ollie Gillies. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 9
Bren gun: Echuca-Moama’s Brenton Thorpe. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 9
Ready to roll: SYC’s Stuart Turner. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 9
Drag and flick: SYC’s Luke Jorgensen. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 9
Form: Echuca-Moama’s Troy Kenny. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 9
Turf war: Echuca-Moama’s Brenton Thorpe battles with SYC’s Paul Irwin. Photo by Rechelle ZammitThe River Rats remain in bottom spot on percentage alone, while Scorchers sit below a Strikers side holding an unblemished one from one winning record.
In B-grade men, Strikers notched their second win of the season by toppling Mooroopna.
Declan Nabbs, Tim Scholz, Timothy Allemand and Nicholas Robinson each hit the back of the net during the 4-1 victory to send Mooroopna to the bottom of the table.
Meanwhile, SYC shot to the top after seeing off the challenge of Echuca-Moama, coming up trumps 3-0.
The B-grade women’s clash between SYC and Benalla was decided off the stick of Hayley Pepperrell, securing the Scorchers their first win of the season.
They now sit just three points off third ranked Euroa, after it was dealt a hammer blow by the competition’s most potent striker.
Echuca-Moama’s Sarah-Jayne Taylor netted twice during a 5-2 win for the River Rats, taking her to 11 goals from six games this season.
For Euroa, Evie Stefanos and Elise Durkin got on the score sheet, while Kim Hamill impressed.
Rolling through the youth grades, Goulburn Valley Grammar prevailed in a 15-goal thriller against Strikers with Joel Hamill slamming home five during the 8-7 win, while SYC belted Mooroopna 12-7.
Under-14 action had goals aplenty, the most of which coming from SYC as it sent 19 past Benalla Orange.
Benalla Black fared slightly better as it lost out 13-4 to Mooroopna and GV Grammar took out an 11-9 ripsnorter over Echuca-Moama.
Lastly, wins went the way of Strikers, Mooroopna and SYC in the under-12 division.