Facing one of the few sides to defeat them this term in the Goulburn Valley League, the Murray Bombers ground out a tough win over Seymour, 12.13 (85) to 12.10 (82) in the first week of the split round.
In netball, Echuca got past the Lions 44-34 to keep their position atop the ladder secure.
In the Murray league, Moama’s seniors drifted two games back from the top six after suffering a surprisingly convincing loss to wildcard Finley 13.9 (87) to 4.2 (26), while the Mowers’ A-graders had no such troubles, crushing the Cats 57-19.
Tongala has a solid grip on third place on the netball ladder after downing Deniliquin 74-45, while the Blues’ seniors could be the league surprise packet, drawing level on points with second place after rolling the Rams 16.13 (103) to 5.8 (38), securing a fifth win in a row.
Echuca United had a down week on the footy field, well handled by Numurkah 16.8 (104) to 3.10 (28), while the club’s A-graders continued their trend of being just slightly off the pace, falling narrowly 51-58.
The Heathcote District Football League finals race will go down to a thrilling conclusion after Leitchville-Gunbower and Lockington-Bamawm United were defeated.
The Bombers fell 23.21 (159) to 7.4 (46) to North Bendigo, while the Cats were bested by Colbinabbin 17.14 (116) to 8.9 (57), leaving the two sides level on points in fifth.
The clubs take on the league’s bottom two in the last round and, with less than two points of percentage difference between them, in Leitchville’s favour, both sides are incentivised not just to win, but to attempt to run up the score in a shootout for the finals.
In netball, the Cats were no match for the defending and presumptive champions, going down 27-90, while at the time of writing the Bombers result against the Bulldogs wasn’t yet available.
Both clubs are out of the finals race.
In the Picola District league, Picola United finally broke its losing hoodoo in netball, likely securing itself eighth place and a finals berth with a 57-42 win over Strathmerton.
Mathoura went down to Jerilderie 29-51, the club’s senior footballers also bested by the Demons 20.9 (129) to 5.4 (34).
Picola had good moments against the Bulldogs but was defeated 13.13 (91) to 9.5 (59).
The Picola and Heathcote leagues have one round remaining, while the Murray and Goulburn Valley League regular seasons will each wrap up after the next three weeks.
