It’s the time of year in summer sport where seasons are made or broken and this weekend will be no different as clubs fight for survival in the last few rounds of competition.

A fortnight remains in the McMahon Shield and six sides still remain alive in the hunt for the top four.

In a cruel twist of fate the two teams that duked it out for the title in last year’s grand final, Echuca and Rochester, now head into a round 17 contest with their seasons on the line.

Rochester (7-7) has a bye in the final week, making this its last opportunity to earn points and draw level with Kyabram Fire Brigade (8-5), which currently holds fourth.

Echuca (6-7) has an extra game on the schedule, but sits one win further back, also needing to remain perfect to have a hope of even tying for fourth.

The two sides will battle in a special day-night clash at Moon Oval, Rochester, on Saturday, beginning at 3.15pm.

For Fire Brigade any competition points would ensure it features in the final four, but the Flames face two tough tests in the final fortnight.

Two members of the top three stand in Fire Brigade’s way, the side hosting second-placed Bamawm-Lockington United at Northern Oval this weekend, before welcoming third-ranked Echuca South in the final round.

This week the Swans are at home to Tongala, which still has hopes of at least improving its ladder position.

The Blues would move above Leitchville-Gunbower with a win, while South could return to the top two if BLU is defeated.

The final match of the round has sides with two polar opposite seasons facing off.

Moama is a perfect 13-0 for the year, while Nondies-Cohuna is a winless 0-13 going into the clash at Moama Recreation Reserve.

Leitchville-Gunbower has the bye.

Bowls

Deniliquin clings on by a thread in its quest to join the weekend pennant final four.

There is only one path to the post-season for Deni, beat Mathoura in all three rinks for a perfect 16 competition points and hope Rich River can do the same, denying Stanhope any points at all.

Should both results fall that way, Deniliquin will sneak into the top four by a point, while any other result will have Stanhope join Echuca, Kyabram and Moama in the finals.

The other match with finals implications is between the Bombers and Steamers, the winner guaranteed a top-two finish and the all-important double chance.

It would take a draw between those two for Echuca to miss out on a top two spot, but it can take that possibility out of the equation and seal the minor premiership with victory over Rochester.

Tongala will score maximum points with the bye, but was eliminated from contention with its defeat last weekend.

Tennis

After a couple of weeks ruled out by heat the Campaspe Tennis Association seniors will be hoping to make their way back to courts this week as finals begin to loom.

The forecast is indicating play should go ahead, with this week’s scheduled matches planned for Echuca Tennis Club.

Leader Echuca 2 will take on bottom-of-the-table Lockington-Bamawm United, while Echuca 1 faces Rochester.

The two Echuca sides have been in lockstep at the top for most of the season.

Women’s cricket

Like in the men’s grade, a three-way contest for fourth place is also brewing in the Goulburn Murray Cricket Women’s competition.

Nathalia has the spot right now, but its destiny is out of its hands as it sits idle with the bye.

That opens the door for Katamatite, which will take Nathalia’s place with a win over Cooma, or for BLU, which can catch Nathalia if Katamatite loses and it defeats Moama.

The result would then come down to quotient, BLU needing a big win to make up a deficit.

The other clash in the round is a semi-final preview between second-placed Echuca and third-placed Rochester, the two sides destined to clash again a week later in a knockout semi.

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Monday, 13th December 2027

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