Nathalia has opened its GMCW account with a thrilling one-wicket defeat of last year’s grand finalist Echuca at the Nathalia Showgrounds.

Evie Hawks produced a starring all-round performance with 3-10 and 20 runs in pursuit of Echuca’s total of 94, but it was down to openers Gabrielle McDonald and Jessica Daniel to get Nathalia over the line.

Nathalia’s run chase had started smoothly, but a collapse of 8-34 saw the retired batting duo reinstated to the crease, McDonald hitting the victorious single on the first ball of the 35th and final over.

In that instance, she had doubled her run tally after a 44-ball vigil, while Amy Fitzgerald (4-13) and Sophie Good (3-18) were the pick of the bowlers for Echuca.

Abby Favaro (2-21) and Nicola Oliver (2-10) were also on song with the ball for Nathalia to instigate Echuca’s own batting collapse, falling from 1-68 to all out for 94.

Elsewhere in the competition, Nagambie looks primed for another assault on the silverware.

The Lakers’ swashbuckling 182-run win over Katamatite reaffirmed their status as one of the teams to beat, with Nagambie’s batters firing the travelling side out to an imposing 4-231.

Perennial run-scorer Kayla Shepherd raised the bat with 51 runs but was ably supported by Kait Carracher (44) and Kelsey Abbott (36), while Katamatite’s Sophie Stanley and young star Matilda Iddles proved the pick of the Tigers bowling attack.

However, Nagambie was equally unforgiving with ball in hand.

Ruby Brentnall’s second-ball wicket — one of three for the Lakers seamer — set the tone for the rest of the innings, with Shepherd chipping in two of her own to assist in dismissing the Tigers for 49.

Meanwhile, Shepparton-Youth Club United made its way to the border to face reigning GMCW premier Moama.

A Delaney Laffy half-century spurred a fast-starting Moama until Phoebe Hawker’s career-best turn with the ball, snaring 4-24 and putting the brakes on the Mowers, who were travelling at 1-104 until Hawker sent Isla Laffy and Olivia Davy back to the pavilion.

It was then up to Beatrix Bray (24) and Sophie Millar (29) to shoulder the bulk of Moama’s 7-189, with Mel Saunders’ two wickets also pivotal in keeping the home side under 200.

But while Saunders (34 runs) and Lia Beecroft’s top-scoring effort of 47 not out provided a spark in the run chase, SYCU was unable to close down the Mowers, falling 43 runs short as Bray (4-5) and Davy ran riot with the ball.

Rochester rounded out the winners’ circle in round three with a convincing six-wicket win over Cooma.

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Sunday, 23rd May 2027

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