Travelling to Tatura Park the Murray Bombers had a tough fight ahead of them against the perennial A-grade contending Bulldogs.
However, Echuca brought its best in the first quarter, trading blows with Tatura all the way through until quarter-time, with scores level at nine-apiece.
The Murray Bombers took the initiative in the second period with Bianca Willis and Belinda Lees combining in attack to nail 12 goals while Echuca’s defence held up, limiting the Bulldogs to six goals.
Tatura snatched back the momentum in the third period, romping back into the contest with 13 goals, with the Murray Bombers only able to add seven, the scores once again level heading into a pivotal fourth quarter.
In a do-or-die final frame Echuca put in a respectable eight-goal effort in enemy territory, but it was just shy of enough as the Bulldogs eked out the win thanks in large part to the goal-scoring tandem of Julia Clarke and Charlette Gray.
The 40-36 loss could be detrimental to the Murray Bombers’ finals hopes, but the close encounter also proved they can still tango with the best, even with a revamped squad.
Returning home to Victoria Park in round 14 Echuca should get back in the winners’ column when it faces struggling Benalla.
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