Moama notched a fifth straight win in Murray Netball League on Saturday, defeating rival Echuca United by 23 goals. Photos: Jordan Townrow
Moama defeated Echuca United for the second time this season in Murray Netball League, the Magpies producing a strong second half to pull away from the Eagles at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
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Both sides entered the Three Jacks Trophy clash with confidence high, Moama on a four-match winning streak, facing an Echuca United side that picked up its first win of the season last time out against Cobram.
Echuca United’s Tessa Bruni restarts play from the centre.
The Magpies were still the more fancied to win this clash, but the Eagles were more than a match for their rivals in the first period, the sides going toe-to-toe as Moama held a slender two-goal lead at the first interval.
The second quarter would be much the same, as Moama again edged the scoring for the period by two goals. Echuca United stayed attached despite the visitors twice going on a run of three straight goals, the Magpies leading 28-24 at half-time.
Moama’s Chelsey Wright looks for a teammate.
It would take until the second half for Moama to demonstrate why a significant gap exists between the teams on the ladder.
Starting in the third quarter, where Carri Carter’s outfit suddenly took total control in the 35th minute, closing the period by scoring 13 of 19 goals to lead by 11 heading into the fourth.
Coby Morgan throws the pass.
The youthful Eagles weren’t able to keep pace with Moama as the contest wore on and the Magpies left their best for the final period to run up the margin, scoring 21 goals — including 12 of the final 15 — to run out 66-43 winners.
Indiana Phillips, Holly Swatton and Jinaya Nurse led the way for Moama’s goal scoring, netting 30, 23 and 13, respectively, while Eliza Pearce was almost single-handedly responsible for the Echuca United contributions, scoring 34 of its 43 goals.
Jinaya Nurse holds the ball.
A fifth straight victory for the Magpies has them now outright in third on the ladder, creating a game of separation from Tongala after it lost to Nathalia, while Echuca United remains ninth.
Moama also won four of the other five netball grades that played on the day, which was crucial in it claiming the Three Jacks Trophy for the second time in 2026.
Eliza Pearce stretches to catch the ball under pressure from Ava Richards.
The Magpies’ next clash will see them host fifth-placed Numurkah, while Echuca United won’t be back in action until June 20 against Congupna as it serves the round 11 bye.
Nathalia v Tongala
Tongala was in strong form ahead of a meeting with league leader Nathalia, having won its past three matches, though the Blues were up against it, facing a Purples side that not only beat them in round one, but had a perfect record.
Aisha Railton can’t quite intercept as Indiana Phillips catches in the goal circle.
Tongala went toe-to-toe with Nathalia throughout the first period, the sides largely trading goals before the Purples pulled away with three unanswered to close the quarter, leading 18-13 heading into the second.
The match began to get away from the Blues when Nathalia started the second period by scoring six of the first eight goals, though the margin never entered double digits as Tongala stayed somewhat attached, trailing 36-28 at half-time.
Aisha Railton pushes the pass to a teammate.
The Blues would need to generate more defensive stops to have any chance of making up the deficit, particularly by slowing down lethal Purples goaler Jane Cook.
Although in the third quarter Tongala had a strong offensive showing with 16 goals, 17 more for Nathalia still had it in a strong position, up 53-44 entering the fourth period.
The Blues would still make the league leader sweat in the final quarter for its win.
Ava Richards assesses her options.
Tongala opened the period by scoring five of the first six goals, at one stage back within five, though Nathalia responded immediately with seven straight, a run that ultimately sealed a 68-59 victory.
Nathalia’s Cook and Blues goaler Chicquita Vick put on a scoring clinic for their respective sides, the former ending up with an impressive 52 goals, while Vick continued her solid season with 38.
Indiana Phillips shoots for goal.
Defeat for Tonny — its second to Nathalia this season — means Abby Pettifer’s team slipped a spot to fourth on the ladder, with Moama moving above it.
Next up, Tongala hosts second-bottom Finley, the Blues needing a response as the jostling for finals spots continues to heat up entering the second half of the season.
