Tongala’s A-grade netball side will look to regroup after suffering first round defeat to a resurgent Echuca United in the Murray Netball League.

Against an admittedly understrength Blues squad, missing coach Grace Hammond and star striker Milly Brock, the Eagles took full advantage, capitalising on second half opportunities to run away from Tonny 41-29.

The teams were neck and neck in the first half, with only a goal, in the Eagles’ favour, the difference at each of the first two breaks.

That changed after half-time, as United won the third 12-5 to earn a healthy lead, before edging the final stanza 14-10 to walk out comfortable winners.

It was a positive performance for new Eagles coach Krystal Burns, who has added to a core group of returning faces in an attempt to push up the table after a disappointing two-win season in 2024.

For Tongala, the absence of some key names puts somewhat of an asterisk on the loss, but with no timetable on Brock’s return, the Blues will need to do more in future outings if they wish to remain in contention for the title they claimed in 2023.

Tongala will look to rebound against Barooga.

Lower grades

Tongala got the best of the B-grade match-up, 40-33.

In a close battle throughout, the Blues won each of the first three quarters by four goals or fewer, before United narrowed the margin in the final term.

The Blues had an easier run in C-grade, scoring a huge 61-29 win.

Tonny led by 25 points at the main break, but the Eagles kept it closer in the second half to only go down by 32 goals overall.

In a rematch of the overtime thriller that was the C-Reserve grand final, Tongala didn’t push it quite so close this time, winning 41-26.

Coming out of the off-season, United will be disappointed with its opening quarter where it could only manage a single score making it an unclimbable mountain for the rest of the game.

In the under-17s contest, the Eagles’ young guns proved the stronger, winning 49-23.

United diligently built a lead throughout the match, extending the advantage at every change.

The Eagles also proved their worth in the under-15s battle, getting the best of the game 25-19.

The game was in the balance through three quarters at 15-all, but a late run saw United claim victory in the fourth.

Echuca United completed the junior sweep with a 29-15 win for the under-13 side.

The match was in the balance after the first but an uncontested 10-0 second period set the tone for the rest of the game.

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Tuesday, 6th May 2025

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