Riverine Herald | Echuca claimed its first win of the year, while Echuca United stumbled to a shock loss to Numurkah.
finally claimed its first win of the Goulburn Valley Football League season with a thrilling three-point triumph against Shepparton Bears, 13.10 (88) to 12.13 (85).
Little separated the teams throughout the day, with the biggest end of quarter margin being the Bears' seven-point lead at the final change.
However, the Murray Bombers came back to kick three goals to one in the last term to capture the win.
Simon Buckley (three goals), Nick Jackson and Kane Morris starred for the winners, while Nick Allan, Edward Lindon and Julius Battista were the best for the Bears.
■ Euroa provided a big upset as it defeated Rochester by 30 points, 14.16 (100) to 10.10 (70).
The Magpies took control of the contest in the opening two quarters to establish a 32-point lead, before holding the advantage for the rest of the match.
Matt Quinton, Nick Snowdon and Pat Horsburgh led the way for the home side, while Rob Wood kicked three goals.
No details were available for Rochester.
■ Benalla recorded a stunning three-point victory against Kyabram, coming back from a 35-point deficit at three-quarter-time to win 15.10 (100) to 15.7 (97).
With Paul Newman kicking four goals in his return to the Bombers side, the visitors would have felt assured of the win at the last break, only to see the Saints boots seven goals to one in the final term to produce the amazing victory.
James Martiniello, Jordan Wolff and Brook Martyn were key instigators in Benalla's fightback, with Al Jacka and Tom Havers each kicking three goals.
Xavier Hilton (three goals) was superb for Kyabram, along with Jordan Williams and Brett Morgan, while Rhys Clark also played well to kick four goals.
■ Shepparton United prevailed in an old-fashioned shootout against Seymour, winning 22.7 (139) to 17.12 (114).
The Lions led by 11 points at the last change, but the Demons came home strongly to boot eight goals to two and win by 25 points.
Tim Looby and Brodie Ross kicked 11 goals between them for the winners, with Paul Currie, Justin Davies and Shaun Huy (three goals) standing out.
Jason Cole, Rory Scopel and Saad Saad (seven goals) were the best players for Seymour, while Dom Russo kicked three goals.
■ Tatura proved too strong for the previously undefeated Shepparton Swans, winning 13.5 (83) to 9.4 (58).
The Bulldogs kept the Swans scoreless in the opening term and kept up a similar margin for the rest of the match, with James Wall, Tom Sullivan and Brett Hicks (three goals) seeing the team to victory. Sonny Whiting also kicked three goals.
Tyson Sidebottom, Andrew Riordan and Dan Lovick were the best for the Swans.
■ Daniel Lewis booted six goals as Mooroopna romped to a 70-point win against Mansfield, 19.15 (129) to 8.11 (59).
The Cats only led by 17 points at the first break, but seven goals in the second term put the team a long way ahead and they went on to win comfortably, Brad Lowe also kicking three goals.
The best players were unavailable.
Murray Football League
Numurkah kicked five goals in the last quarter to produce a massive upset against Echuca United, defeating the reigning premier 10.9 (69) to 9.10 (64).
After an even and low-scoring first half, the Eagles led by 17 points at the final break before the Blues ran over the top of them in the final term, with Braydon Sutton, Lucas White and Jake Wilkinson leading the way.
Dean Moon, Luke Sanderson and Ryan Prendergast were the best for United.
Mark Brown and Tom Kelly kicked seven goals between them for the home side.
■ A similar final term was seen in Deniliquin, where the Rams kicked five goals to none to secure a thrilling two-point victory against Moama, 10.12 (72) to 11.4 (70).
The Magpies looked in control when they led by 28 points at the last change, but could only muster one behind in the last quarter.
Ricky Gittens, Jack Tyndall and Oliver Draffin were the stars for the home side, with Hayden Barker kicking four goals, while Rhys Archard (three goals), David Ismail and Taylor Beard were the best for Moama.
■ Tongala remains without a victory after another close loss, this time to Mulwala.
The Blues led by two points at the last change, but it was the Lions — aided by six goals to Will Farrer — who triumphed 11.17 (83) to 9.17 (71).
Josh Hammond, Sean Robinson and Liam Russell led the way for the visitors, while Jordan Souter, Nick Mellington (three goals) and Stephen Townsend impressed for Tongala.
Andrew Reid also kicked five goals.
■ The theme of close matches continued in the game between Finley and Barooga, with the Hawks getting up 11.13 (79) to 10.9 (69).
Barooga led by 22 points at the first change, but the Cats came back to win the next three quarters only to fall 10 points short.
Will Gorman, Marcus Smith and Josh Helliwell were the best for the winners, with Davin Hall kicking three goals.
Marcus Jackson, Steve Patten and Cameron Robertson tried hard for Finley.
■ A superb third quarter saw Nathalia record a 46-point win against Rumbalara, 15.11 (101) to 8.7 (55).
Rumba led by three points at half-time, but the Purples then kicked seven goals to none to race to a match-winning lead, with Troy Snelson, Phillip Carroll and youngster Bowen Smith starring.
Jason Limbrick also kicked three goals.
Rex Taylor, Brad Dick (three goals) and Kevin Portaminni were the best for the visitors.
■ After an even first quarter, Congupna eased away to a 60-point win against Cobram, 11.18 (84) to 2.12 (24).
The Road was led by Tate Mifka, Harry Ellis, Jess Cosaitis and three goals to Matt Shannon, while Clinton Lambert, John Lucas and Paul Diretto tried hard for the Tigers.
Heathcote and District Football League
North Bendigo re-inforced its premiership credentials with an impressive four-quarter performance against top-four side Leitchville-Gunbower, winning 16.18 (114) to 5.8 (38).
The Bulldogs' pressure and comparative good ball skills in the wet were features of the match, proving much too good for the Bombers.
Tyson Findlay, Daniel Sipthorp and Cameron Lomas were the most impressive for the visitors, with Jeremy Mills kicking three goals.
Brad Perry, Steve Pretty and Lee Pollock tried hard for the home side, while Jake Williams kicked three goals.
■ Lockington-Bamawm United's inaccurate first halves continued against Huntly, but this time the Cats extricated themselves from the situation to win 13.11 (89) to 10.7 (67).
The Hawks led by one point at half-time, but the home side then kicked 11 goals to seven to run out 22-point winners, with Simon Keleher and Liam Main impressing, while Kahl Oliver continued his interleague form to boot six goals.
Alex Demeo, Ryley Dickens and James Blood tried hard for the visitors, while Lachie O'Toole kicked five goals.
■ Colbinabbin produced a polished performance to run out 72-point winners against Heathcote, 17.14 (116) to 6.8 (44).
Tim O'Dwyer, Ricky Welch and Lochie Sirett (six goals) led the way for Grasshoppers, while Leroy Miller registered three goals.
Daniel Carroll, Daniel Russell and Kyle Siedel were the best for the Saints.
■ White Hills put on a goal-kicking clinic to smash Elmore 31.18 (204) to 10.9 (69).
Hayden Wright, Ricky Symes and Jake Ward combined for 19 majors, while Alex Galea and David Wright added a combined seven goals.
Peter Harrison, Phil Wills and Josh Barnes tried hard for the home side, with Luke Clark finishing with three goals.
Picola and District Football League north-west
Mathoura was restricted to one goal in the second half as eight goals from Dylan Cunningham helped Picola United triumph 13.18 (96) to 5.4 (34).
Clinton Barnes, Sean Mortimer and John Walker (three goals) led the way for the Blues, while Nathan Marsh, Andrew Mortimer and Chris Allingham tried hard for the Timbercutters.
■ Casey Hillary (three goals) starred for Jerilderie as it won an entertaining contest against Blighty, 16.10 (106) to 12.8 (80).
The Demons extended their advantage in every quarter, with Lachie Leeds and Tom Bryce also impressing.
Aaron Purcell finished with six goals and Jak Payne also added three in the 26-point win.
Brody Lumber booted six goals for the Redeyes, with Kyel Bain and Simon Maher also impressing. Jarrod Wilson kicked four goals.
■ Six goals to none in the opening term helped Berrigan to a 10.11 (71) to 7.9 (51) win away against Yarroweyah.
The Grasshoppers fought their way back into the game to only trail by 12 points at the final break, but were unable to find another avenue to goal.
Ed Walliss starred for the winners with five goals, with Kyle Russell and Jack Mynard able supporters.
Chase Saunders, Reece Miller and Daniel Clarke were the best for the home side.
■ Deniliquin Rovers were held scoreless after quarter-time as Strathmerton romped to a 20.17 (137) to 2.1 (13) win.
The Bulldogs only led by nine points at the first break but were ruthless from then on, with James Daniel, Josh Evans (seven goals) and Adam Laidlaw leading the way, while Chris Skolyarev also kicked three goals.
Marc Braybon, Ben Thorpe and Liam Zeschke tried hard for the Rovers.
Central Murray Football League
Cohuna prevailed in a tight encounter away against Balranald, 8.20 (68) to 7.6 (48).
The Kangas kicked 3.17 after quarter-time, but produced enough to limit the Roos, with Shane Jacobs, Matt Rice and Damien Boyer leading the way.
Raven Jolliffe, Dane Fitzgerald and Bryce Delmenico were the best for the home team.
■ Kerang cruised to a 15.8 (98) to 6.6 (42) win against Mallee, with Lance Picoane, Troy Thamm (five goals) and Jon Murphy (three goals) leading the way.
Marc Reiffel also kicked three goals, while Martin Kelly, Warren Carlyle and Matt Roberts were the Eagles' best.
■ After only leading by eight points at the first break, Woorinen ran all over NNW United to win 17.9 (111) to 6.5 (41).
Ben Heenan, Matt Iannucci and Blake Ward were the Tigers' best, while Anthony Alderuccio (five goals) and Jamie Nicholas (three goals) produced the damage on the scoreboard.
Calen Dobbin, John Threadgold and Ash Thompson were the Demons' best.
■ Tooleybuc-Manangatang proved too good for Lake Boga, triumphing 19.13 (127) to 5.9 (39).
Lee Cox booted eight goals for the Saints and Joel Cullen chipped in with three as Stephen Lyons and Josh Stone guided the team to victory.
Adam Quigley, Hamish Hooppell and Joel Dwyer were the best for the Magpies.
■ Fianlly, Koondrook-Barham ran away with the contest in the last quarter to defeat Tyntynder 18.13 (121) to 5.11 (41).
Ryan Evans starred up forward for the Raiders with eight majors, while Michael Grant and Rhys Healey led the way for the team.
Mark Corrie, Darcy Bibby and Andrew Merrett were the Bulldogs' best.
Murray Netball League
Finley d Barooga 76-31, Tongala d Mulwala 51-34, Congupna d Cobram 61-34, Numurkah d Echuca United 40-22, Deniliquin d Moama 60-28, Rumbalara d Nathalia 43-31.
By Geordie Cowan
