Despite a 2-5 loss to Strikers on Saturday, Echuca-Moama will be buoyed by its performance against the competition heavyweights as Goulburn Valley Hockey Association finals loom.
The Strikers notched their 10th win of the season in the encounter at Echuca College, still undefeated with one round to play in the regular season.
Ashley Phipps scored a brace for the River Rats but it ultimately went in vain as Simon Cole’s hat-trick and two to James McBain helped the Strikers stay perfect. Adam Thompson and Tom Kerr were strong in defeat for Echuca-Moama.
With a semi-final date against SYC in two weeks’ time, the River Rats will be pleased with one aspect in particular from their clash against the title favourite.
After failing to put a goal past the Strikers in their previous three encounters, the River Rats will take heart from netting two in round 11.
Round 12 will see the third-placed River Rats journey to Shepparton for a clash against bottom-placed Mooroopna before looking ahead to finals.
In B-grade, the River Rats walked away with a 5-3 win over Strikers thanks to a Jason Hensley brace, his second consecutive two-goal game.
Echuca-Moama sits atop the B-grade ladder.
The under-17 River Rats endured a 2-4 defeat to Strikers, while the under-14s tasted victory.