Echuca holds off late Saints surge

Benalla also started the better in the match, as Echuca was goalless in the first quarter and trailed 15-4 at the first change.

The Murray Bombers would concede the first three goals of the game before punching back with five in a row in the second quarter, culminating in a 5.5 (35) to 4.4 (28) lead at half-time.

Another strong period in the third for Echuca had it seemingly on the way to a comfortable victory, Simon Maddox’s team booting four goals to one in the quarter.

The visitors kicked the first major of the final term, extending their margin to 30, before the Saints rediscovered the play that had them in front early on.

Benalla booted the next four goals without reply and, at one stage, cut the margin to four points, only trailing 68-64.

With time running out, a goal for either side would be decisive.

It was Luke Edwards who stepped up to be the hero for Echuca, his late major sealing an 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64) win for the Murray Bombers.

A fifth straight win for second-placed Echuca means it kept pace with league leader Shepparton for another week.

But the narrow margin of victory hurt its percentage, which is now well below the Bears’ after they defeated Seymour by 45 points.

Echuca does have a prime opportunity to close that gap when it travels to winless Tatura next.