Sarah-Jane Taylor was again the difference for Echuca Moama in round four of the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association season, while the A-grade men’s season began with a first-up defeat.
Taylor fired three goals past SYC in the clash at Echuca College, handing the River Rats their second victory of the season.
Renee Thompson and Rachael Costello were also in fine form as Echuca Moama jumped to second spot, but will have a stern test on their hands when they face the unbeaten Strikers in round five.
Meanwhile, the A-grade men finally got their season under way, with a 0-2 defeat to SYC. Matt Irwin was the sole goal-scorer, with two.
In the B-grade men’s competition, Echuca Moama received a forfeit from Mooroopna, leaving the Rats in third place.
In the junior ranks, the under-14s came away with a 12-4 win over GV Grammar, Nash Berryman leading the scoring with seven goals while Montana Spicer (three) chipped in alongside Poppy Ferguson and Couper Williams.
Echuca Moama’s under-12s narrowly missed victory against GV Grammar, going down 4-5 in a nail-biter. Murray Park (two goals) and Jack and Olivia Thompson hit the scoreboard for the River Rats.