Football
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Under 17 - Echuca United
On a beautiful autumn morning, the under 17 team took a step forward in the season by accounting for Tongala by 18 goals.
Will Graham dominated the contest through the middle and across half-back on the good ruck work of Kody Kendrick, who was able to show his talents with a different looking midfield.
Jake Clancy worked himself into the match when placed in the centre, with a fantastic clearance game that highlighted his relentless work rate to out-muscle the opposition and get the ball to his outside runners.
Maisyn Douglas and Ridley Gass’ outside run and ball delivery into the forward line was impressive and a pleasure to watch as key forwards were able to lead and mark in clear air.
Bodhi Chique’s clean ball handling and clinical use of the footy was also a feature of the game, and clearly demonstrated the team working for each other.
Final score: Echuca United 20.10 (130) d Tongala 2.4 (16)
Awards: Maisyn Douglas, Ridley Gass, Bodhi Chique, Kody Kendrick, Jake Clancy and Will Graham.
Under 14 - Echuca Bombers
It was a perfect start to the footy season for the under 14 Echuca Bombers team.
Right from the first siren the Bombers were quick to stamp their authority on the field. Creating pressure early on with strong hit outs was Ned Ash-Townrow.
Cody Walker and Albert Cunningham led the fast breakaways to solidify a healthy starting quarter with 37 points on the board.
During the second quarter, the boys kept up their steady level of attack, relentlessly feeding the ball into the forward line once again.
Liam Gronow, Jett Kervin and Riley Carr kept the ball moving forward and as a result the ball barely left the Bombers forward line.
Following half-time, the boys really hit their straps with their most damaging quarter for the day.
Tatura made some clumsy mistakes kicking out from goals which proved costly as Echuca promptly answered with swift intercepts and strong marks.
The final quarter saw the boys round out a solid performance with 26 points to add to their overall score.
Coaches Fitzy and Kervo both expressed they were happy with the boys’ strong performance and said it was an all-round effort for the day.
Final score: Echuca Bombers 18.18 (129) d Tatura Bulldogs 2.2 (14).
Awards: Riley Carr, Albert Cunningham, Liam Gronow, Ned Ash-Townrow, Cody Walker.
Goals: N. Ash-Townrow 4, C. Walker 3, R. Chivers-Sellings, A. Cunningham, L. Gronow 2, D. Canham, R. Carr, J. Kervin, T. Oliver, T. Voss.
Under 14 - Echuca Murray Bombers
The first quarter started off with great forward entries, although Echuca was not able to capitalise with two behinds.
With high pressure tackling and shepherds from both teams, momentum swung Shepparton United's way as they went on to kick 3.3.
The second quarter saw the game being played in United's forward half with EMB unable to get the ball past centre half-forward.
United's open play saw the side score 6.4. Heading into the third quarter, EMB's backline took charge and repelled multiple attacks on goal with tough at-the-ball defence and strong intercept marking.
However, the side was unable to break through United's wall set up at halfway, with the opposition eventually kicking 3.3.
The high physical pressure finally took its toll on EMB in the fourth quarter, with the bigger bodies of United able to maintain the forward pressure, resulting in 9.1.
Final score: Echuca Murray Bombers 0.2 (2) lt Shepparton United 23.23 (161).
Under 12 - Echuca White
Echuca White kicked off its 2021 season with a strong game at home against Runnymede on Friday night.
Echuca put plenty of pressure on the scoreboard every quarter and had the valiant Runnymede backline working in overdrive.
Echuca White coaches Steve Bird and Brad Gotch were pleased with the output of their players who linked well with their handballs and foot skills, setting their teammates up in better positions to move the ball forward.
The young players worked hard to clear the footy out of the centre and every loose ball was hotly contested.
Final score: Echuca United 20.10 (130) d Tongala 2.4 (16)
Awards: Will Hatfield, Mitch Sutton, Angus Donnan, Jag Tarrant.
Under 10 - Echuca Green v Echuca Red
Echuca Green kicked off its season, hosting Echuca Red.
Both teams started well, with Echuca Green attacking and Echuca Red's defence standing tall.
After a good sequence of play, Echuca Green kicked the first goal of the game. Not long after, Echuca Red swarmed the ball forward and kicked their first goal. The first quarter ended as an even contest.
Echuca Red started the second quarter attacking with long kicks into their forward line.
These attacks put the Echuca Green defence under pressure as they tried their best to repel the attacks.
Eventually Echuca Red broke Green’s defence and kicked multiple goals. Echuca Green finished the quarter kicking a couple of goals of their own.
The third quarter was played similar to the second, with Echuca Red attacking and Green trying hard to defend.
Long kicks into Red’s forward line led to multiple goals from strong marking. Echuca Green’s pressure and tackling was a feature with second and third efforts.
Echuca Green started the fourth quarter strongly and made multiple forward attacks with no reward.
Both teams had good passages of play with kickers finding their targets and goals being scored. The teams played the game out to the end and competed in a good spirited match.
Echuca Green awards: Lochy, Taj, Xavier, Billy.
Under 10 - Echuca White
Echuca White's inaugural captain Gus Halloran got the team off to a positive start by winning the toss. Immediately there was tremendous pressure with Finn Cullen, Jed Dullard and Sam Whan all laying excellent tackles.
The one percenters kept coming with Sam McCleary and Tom Reynolds executing some great smothers.
Captain Gus took a great mark and kicked Echuca White’s first goal for the year, which was celebrated wildly.
There was some tremendously brave marking from Charlie Hearn and Tom Cooke and silky skills from Connor Williams and Nash Myers with excellent pick-ups on the run.
Jack Howe played well and Jordi Howe took a great mark in the forward line. Nate Murphy had a terrific game.
Coaches Sean Murphy, Dan Dullard and Iain McCleary were very proud of the first effort.
Awards: Gus Halloran, Jordi Howe, Nash Myers, Charlie Hearn.
Under 10 - Echuca Bombers
Echuca Bombers came out of the blocks on fire for their first game of the season, taking on the Kyabram Bombers.
Jaxon Key led the way early with confidence, kicking goals and setting up an early lead. Levi Weeks looked to have his own footy, and he used it well, accurately hitting his teammates with his trusty left foot.
Jobe Murphy was clever, leading and marking strongly before kicking truly. Tom Arthurson showed mid-season form, reading the play to cut off Ky's attacks and getting the ball to runners like Bae Quayle, Max Gill and Harry Emonson.
As the game progressed, Ky Rankins started to exert some influence, as did Harry Formosa. Ged Canham would be happy with his first game of the season, as would Billy Sutton and Ned O’Neale all working solidly as a unit with plenty of encouragement and enthusiasm.
The Bombers played well as a team, looking for each other and finding the open man, which led to a good win to kick off 2021.
Netball
Echuca B grade
Fantastic first quarter against Rochester with great defensive pressure leading to many midcourt intercepts. These were converted with great accuracy from Bianca and Charlotte.
Greta controlled the drives from end to end. Clare and Lara combine defensively to prevent Rochester going to the pot. Great team effort once again.
Final score: Echuca 60 d Rochester 26
Best: Charlotte Groves, Greta Pearson, Meg Rhode.
Echuca B reserve
Echuca began slowly settling into new combinations but quickly found their feet. Throughout the game they maintained control steadily increasing the lead.
The team dominated their attacking systems whilst remaining strong defensively. Echuca led throughout this game which resulted in a convincing win.
Final score: Echuca 57 d Rochester 26
Best: Lucy Eishold, Kelsey Hamilton, Claudia Sampson.
Echuca under 17
Feeling the pressure in the first quarter, Echuca felt the challenge. Some positional changes from coach Kristine Oliver to try and find some intensity from Echuca wasn’t enough to bring them back into the game.
Echuca continued to fight hard, however Rochester was too strong and dealt the Murray Bombers their first loss of the season.
Final score: Echuca 32 lt Rochester 50
Best: Alice Davidson, Halle Gray, Zayah James.
Echuca under 15
Another tight contest for the ‘Baby Bombers'. Getting off to a cracking start, Echuca showcased some brilliant play down the court and capitalised in the ring.
The strong defensive pressure of Maisy, Milly and Eliza culminated in turnovers throughout, and was a main highlight of the game.
The teamwork and communication on the court proved to be pivotal in the last quarter with Echuca coming away with a six-goal win.
Final score: Echuca 45 d Rochester 39
Best: Milly Ross, Eliza Thomson, Maisy Byrne
Echuca United B grade netball
Tight game between Tongala and United in the first half, with the team fighting until the last whistle.
Final score: Echuca United 37 lt Tongala 53
Awards: Gemma Wilson, Lauren Dawes.
Echuca United C grade
Unfortunately a lack of sticking to the basics for four quarters made it difficult to create a win.
Persistence from the defence did give some available opportunities for goalers who capitalised with some lovely shots and movement.
Final score: Echuca 12 lt Tongala 38
Awards: Aisha Railton, Anna McGuinness.
Echuca United C reserve
A great win from C reserve, with the team keeping up great talking through all the position changes.
Final score: Echuca 47 d Tongala 28
Awards: Jess Grundy, Kirsty Ladgrove.
Echuca United under 17
The girls had three really good quarters against a strong side, with the scoreline not reflecting the quality of the game.
Final score: Echuca 26 lt Tongala 44
Awards: Alicia Callender, Gabbey Beveridge, Kirsty Nichol.
Echuca United under 15
It was great day on court and the Eagles were happy to walk away with their first win by five goals. Everyone adapted well to all the changes.
Final score: Echuca 26 d Tongala 21
Awards: Hazel Voss, Molli Lucic, Molly McLeod.
Echuca United under 13
A great effort by the under 13 team with impressive pressure and flow throughout the game.
Holly Formosa hit her straps in defence, while Chloe Moyle whizzed around the court and was great in goals. Kinsey Graham did not take her eye off the ball and continued to apply pressure all game.
Final score: Echuca 34 d Tongala 11
Awards: Kinsey Graham, Chloe Moyle, Holly Formosa.
Echuca United under 11
The under 11 Eagles had their first win. After a slow start the girls came storming home and wiped the courts clean with a fantastic effort.
Awards: Gabbey Roussis (fantastic rebounds), Jorja McLeod (for keeping her player out of the game), Evee Hazleman (dynamic defence).