Echuca-Moama River Rats fell short in their bid to rectify last season’s grand final defeat to SYC.
The B-grade men’s team was beaten 1-2 by the reigning premier, the two meeting for the first time since the 2022 decider.
Will Kerr fired in the River Rats’ only goal of the game, cancelled out by an Iain Greig brace at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex on Saturday.
Lucas Kell, Ash Phipps, and Adrian Rose performed admirably, but the Rats will have to wait until their round three clash against Benalla to compete for a second victory.
Meanwhile, Echuca Moama’s B-grade women were also locked in a thriller with SYC.
Sarah-Jane Taylor was once again a standout for the River Rats as they toppled their opponents 1-0, while Jacquelyn Taylor and Rebecca Webb were also pivotal.
Echuca-Moama will be hoping for a second consecutive win when it meets Benalla in round three.
The under-14 side was a convincing 17-4 winner over Benalla, with Nash Berryman (11 goals), Couper Williams (three), Poppy Ferguson (two) and Jack Bateson all finding the net.
Jack was also prominent in the under-12 clash, netting three goals alongside other goal-scorer Olivia Thompson in a loss to Mooroopna.