In the competition’s game of the round, the second-placed Murray Bombers — on a three-game win streak — met a Euroa side that not only had a perfect record, but was largely dominating all-comers this season.
Echuca had the opportunity to break the visitor’s invincibility and started strongly, leading 9-3 midway through the opening period.
The two sides traded goals for the remainder of the quarter as the Murray Bombers held a solid 19-10 lead at the first interval.
Euroa would fight back in devastating fashion throughout the second period, producing its best stint of the day by laying on 20 goals to Echuca’s seven, which included eight straight to close the half, the Murray Bombers suddenly trailing 30-26 at the main break.
The league’s two leading sides continued to live up to the hype of the occasion to open the second half, as Echuca reasserted itself on the match, starting the third period with seven of the first nine goals and retaking the lead.
After that run, the sides had another stint trading goals to close the third, setting up a thrilling finish as Euroa led by one — 38-37 — entering the fourth period.
In the end, Echuca’s fast starts in three of the four quarters would prove crucial to its victory, as Bronwyn Slater’s team began the final period by again scoring seven of the first nine goals.
Euroa stemmed the bleeding, but wasn’t able to launch a run itself, Echuca keeping the Magpies at arm’s-length before closing the match with three straight baskets to secure a six-goal win, 57-51.
The Murray Bombers’ total was made up of 25 goals from Belinda Lees and 23 for Sheridan Townrow, while Rose Byrne added the other nine.
The Murray Bombers and Magpies contested the 2023 and 2024 grand finals, splitting the two premierships, and the two sides once again look to be among the top contenders this year.
Echuca remains in second place on the ladder despite knocking off the leader, though crucially, a first defeat for Euroa means each of the top three sides — the other being Mooroopna — are only separated by percentage.
Shepparton Swans are Echuca’s next opponent, the Murray Bombers set to be favoured to record a fifth straight win against the eighth-placed outfit.
11°C