The Rebels finished atop the GMLTA standings after a dominant 41-game win over Echuca (9-86 to 3-45) on Saturday, leaving it with a 7-2 record and in prime position to secure the coveted double chance.
Erik Holt-Crossman (8-1), Josh Bavich (8-2), and Deagan Tomkins (8-0) were ruthless in the opening men’s singles salvo as the Rebels conceded just three sets for the match.
Isabella Crossman won all three of her sets for the day to extend the Rebels’ dominance.
John Evans, Genevieve Bush, and the doubles duo of David Starling/Jordon Godfrey secured Echuca’s three sets.
Rich River has a bye in the final home-and-away round, and look sets to play either Velvet Tigers or Echuca in the first semi-final on Saturday, February 26.
The winner of that match will progress straight to the grand final, but the loser will have another chance to qualify in the preliminary final.
The Tigers and Echuca sit behind in second and third respectively — two games clear of fourth-placed Numurkah — and will be looking to sew up second spot in round 14.
Echuca’s loss to Rich River was exacerbated by the Tigers leap-frogging them into second on the ladder on the back of the Tigers’ 23-game victory over Shepparton Lawn Tropics.
Echuca can claim second position back against Shepparton Average Joes (sixth) this weekend but will also be banking on the Tigers losing their contest against Shepparton Tropics (fifth), who are looking to take Numurkah’s place in the top four.
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