Murray Bombers falter after strong start as Bombers take flight in second half

The game started well for the hosts, who nailed a pair of goals through Hugh Byrne and Mitchell Wales in the first quarter to get the engine running, while also limiting a typically potent attack to one goal in the same time.

However, the Bombers flipped the script on Echuca in the second period, with Jackson Stewart the only man in green able to squeeze out a maximum, while Kyabram got back in the mix with two of its own.

With the difference between the sides two points at the major break, the game still hung in the balance, with momentum in favour of the red sash.

While both sides found success up front in the third term, with Byrne nabbing his second and Liam Tenace and Tigh O’Brien getting in on the action, Kyabram nailed five through the middle to take a strong lead with a quarter to go.

Tenace gave Echuca some hope down the stretch, scoring two off his boot, but young gun Archie Watt (2) lead the charge for the Bombers, who tallied five in the final frame to kick away.

The 8.11 (59) to 13.14 (92) loss was a detrimental one for the Murray Bombers, as they have now been leapfrogged by Mansfield and slid to fourth with one round remaining.

With the finals teams confirmed with order still up for grabs, Echuca has only beaten Mansfield and Shepparton Swans, with the former being in round seven.

That being said, the Murray Bombers should get one final win for the home and away season in round 18, playing the Cats at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, but, will most likely remain in fourth with Mansfield playing Benalla to end its season.