Echuca United defeated Congupna for the second time this season in round 17 of the Murray Netball League. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Echuca United picked up back-to-back wins in the Murray Netball League with a comfortable 25-goal win over Congupna at Echuca South Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
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The Eagles were the dominant team from the off, racing out to an 18-5 lead at the end of the first period.
Echuca United’s Tessa Bruni restarts play from the centre.
Such was the one-way traffic during the opening quarter that Leesa Hooppell’s side twice went on runs of five unanswered goals.
The second period saw much of the same, though the scoring slowed down.
Coby Morgan catches the pass.
The hosts added only nine to their total in the quarter but kept up their strong defensive effort, holding The Road to single digits by half-time, Echuca United up 27-9.
The second half was much more competitive, as Congupna prevented the Eagles from going on extended runs, though the hill it had to climb on the scoreboard was too steep.
Diaz Agg prepares to throw a pass.
Hooppell’s side still outscored the visitors 22-15 across the final two periods, running out a comfortable 49-24 winner.
Eliza Pearce and Tiah Hooppell led the way for the Eagles, scoring 32 and 17 goals, respectively.
Eliza Pearce takes the shot.
Heading into the final round, round 18, Echuca United is eighth, the highest place it can finish on the ladder.
The Eagles could drop to ninth on the final day should they lose to Mulwala and ninth-placed Cobram defeat Nathalia.
Coby Morgan looks at a teammate before throwing the chest pass.
Moama vs Nathalia
Moama’s inconsistent form over the past month continued against Nathalia, the Purples winning by 39 goals at Moama Recreation Reserve.
The Magpies already saw their total doubled by the first interval as the visitors led 18-9, jumping out to the early advantage after netting 11 of the first 15 goals in the match.
Tessa Bruni prepares to launch a pass to a teammate up the court.
Moama fared slightly better defensively in the second period, as Nathalia added 13 to its total.
But Carri Carter’s side couldn’t get going in attack, scoring only eight in the quarter to trail 31-17 at half-time.
Aisha Railton contests the shot from Congupna’s Emma McCall.
The hosts would need a monumental second half to shock the league leader, but the Purples only improved, easing to victory across the third and fourth periods.
Nathalia outscored Moama 49-24 in the second half, culminating in a humbling 80-41 defeat for the Magpies.
Tessa Bruni and Ayva Surace fight for possession.
In a concerning sign ahead of the finals series, the 80 goals is the highest Moama has conceded this season.
The loss also saw Carter’s side drop to fifth on the ladder, below Rumbalara, which defeated sixth-placed Numurkah in action elsewhere.
Tiah Hooppell with possession near the sideline.
Moama (12-5) and Rumba face each other in the final round, with the winner to finish fourth.
But the outcome is less important for the Magpies, who will use the opportunity to get a tune-up against the side it will likely play in the first week of the finals.
Georgina Farrell looks up the court for a teammate.
Both Moama and Rumbalara are four points adrift of third-placed Tongala, which served the bye in round 17.
The Blues are expected to defeat Finley in their last regular season match, a result that would see them likely finish as the three seed and set up an elimination final against Numurkah.
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