It was a weekend of highs and lows for Echuca in Goulburn Valley League football and netball this weekend, with B-grade booking itself into the big dance, while the under-18 football side’s season hangs on a knife’s edge.

Under-18

The boys in green got pretty well pummelled by table-topper Shepparton in the second semi-final, a direct qualifier for the under-18 grand final.

Playing at Euroa Memorial Oval on Sunday, the Bears banged on seven majors in the opening term to essentially sink the Murray Bombers (1.2) before they even began.

Things didn’t get any better for Echuca, managing a lone minor score in the second period, while the Bears continued on their merry way with five more maximums added to the tally.

With Shepparton’s lead at 66 at half-time, the Murray Bombers finally woke up in the third term, outscoring the Bears four goals to three, but could only shave three points off their opponent’s strong lead.

Again, Echuca outscored Shepparton, this time three goals to two, but it barely scratched the damage already done, with the Bears sailing away to a 17.11 (113) to 8.6 (54) triumph.

The 59-point loss has Echuca’s season hanging by a thread, with a do-or-die preliminary final match-up against Mooroopna, which beat Kyabram in the other semi-final on Saturday, up next at Deakin Reserve.

B-grade

Echuca’s B-grade netball unit got the job done against Euroa in the second semi-final to book a place at the big dance.

The Murray Bombers finished the home and away season in fifth position and are now a game away from completing a fairytale run to the flag after ousting the second-placed Magpies, 45-38, on their home turf.

The game was tight for much of the first half, with Echuca holding a four-goal lead at quarter-time before the gap tightened to a pair of goals at the major break.

With Euroa managing six goals in the third term, the Murray Bombers capitalised, putting 13 through the net to blow the game open.

A 12-goal effort down the stretch wasn’t enough for the Magpies, as Echuca matched pace to secure the seven-goal upset.

Euroa will have to beat table-topper Seymour in the preliminary final to have another crack at Echuca in the grand final.

17-and-under

Echuca’s 17-and-under side’s season was brought to an end on Sunday, with Shepparton doing enough to survive another week.

After knocking down 17 shots in the opening quarter, the Murray Bombers struggled early, trailing by 11 goals at the first break.

However, Echuca made it competitive with 11 goals in the second stanza, with its defensive unit limiting the Bears to seven goals, the gap at seven at the major break.

Shepparton found its form once more in the third term, outscoring the Murray Bombers 13-9 to get its advantage back out to double digits with the final frame to play.

Echuca wasn’t going to die wondering, putting up its best attacking effort down the stretch with 13 goals; however, the Bears held their nerve, tallying 10 to escape with a 47 to 39 victory.

The match brought a bitter end to the valiant efforts of Echuca, while Shepparton will go on to battle it out with Rochester in the preliminary final on Sunday.

15-and-under

Echuca’s 15-and-under side lived to fight another day, despite losing to league-leader Mooroopna on its home court in the second semi-final on Saturday.

The top-two clash was a tight one, with five goals separating the two sides in favour of the Cats at quarter-time.

Mooroopna barely outscored the Murray Bombers eight goals to nine to extend its advantage to six by the half-time siren.

A 19-goal third term won the game for the Cats, while Echuca still managed to add a respectable 12 goals to its tally by the final turn.

Thirteen goals down the stretch wasn’t enough to salvage the game for the Murray Bombers, as Mooroopna ran away with it, 53-44.

With the second chance in hand, Echuca will face Shepparton United for a chance at a grand final berth on Sunday.

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Thursday, 9th February 2023

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