Clearly the league’s top two, the cross-border neighbours battled previously on May 4, with Moama walking away 40-21 winners, one of the Magpies’ nine consecutive victories to start the year.
However, the Eagles turned the tables at Echuca South Recreation Reserve on this occasion, picking up the win 3.5 (23) to 2.3 (16).
United made a strong start to the contest, kicking two of its goals in the first term to lead by 10 at quarter-time.
Both sides struggled to muster the required offence in the second, but a series of minor scores narrowly extended the Eagles’ advantage to 13.
Moama made a move after the main break, finding both of its majors to get within a point, but United held on in the fourth to earn the seven-point win.
Sage Dennis, on break from Bendigo Pioneers duties, scored best-on-ground honours for the Eagles in her return to the club for the first time this season.
Willow Clark, Jada Dennis and Isabella Nathan were United’s goal-kickers, while Georgie Elso and Beth Morris struck for Moama.
The result adds additional intrigue to the run home, with United looking to catapult off this result into its title defence.
The regular season series will have a winner as a third meeting between the sides arrives in just two weeks, on July 6, at Moama Recreation Reserve.
Women’s
Echuca surged to the top of the women’s league standings, at least on paper, after a comprehensive win over Tatura.
Lily Hillman (4), Sienna Lee (3), coach Kate Dixon (2) and Hendrika Kirchhofer (1) all kicked goals as the Murray Bombers rolled through the Bulldogs 10.3 (63) to 0.1 (1).
Although now a game clear of Shepparton United at the top, the undefeated Demons have two games in hand over Echuca and can reclaim the ascendancy as soon as next week, as the Murray Bombers sit out with the bye.
Echuca returns to action on July 6, visiting Nathalia.
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