Sport

Eagles fall as flag-defender makes it 16 on the bounce

By Oliver Shedden

Aug 10, 2025

Echuca United's Chloe Moyle fires a darting chest pass. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

While Echuca United will miss the Murray Netball League finals in 2025it gave the heavy flag favourite a good run for its money in the second half of a split round 16.

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Travelling to Mercury Drive, Shepparton, the Eagles were in for a tough battle against a Rumbalara side with serious back-to-back premiership ambitions.

The game began well for Echuca United, with the Eagles nailing 10 goals in the first quarter, while Rumba stayed a step ahead with 15.

Fallon Lieschke surveys her options. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Echuca United’s flow came to a grinding halt in the second period as Rumba ran over the top with 13 goals, with the Eagles managing three in reply.

While the Eagles managed to get back on the goal-scoring horse with nine in the third term, the game was well out of their hands by that point as Rumba soldiered on with 14 goals added to the tally.

Rumbalara's Jessie Barnes-Hill goes for goal over Echuca United's Aisha Railton. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

By the final frame, the game had gotten away from Echuca United, with the visitor settling for eight goals down the stretch, with Rumba matching the count to extend its unbeaten streak to 16 victories to win the day by 27.

The final score was 30-57.

Rumbalara's Jessie Barnes-Hill and Echuca United's Coby Morgan tussle for position. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Things won’t get much easier for the Eagles as they will face two more finals sides before season’s end, with a date with Nathalia first in line in round 17 before wrapping up against Deniliquin in round 18.

Meanwhile, it’ll be the inverse remaining schedule for Rumba, playing the Rams first and then the Purples before finals.