Sport

Strong second half helps Murray Bombers to win

By Christian Marchetti

May 17, 2026

Echuca defeated Seymour in Goulburn Valley League netball to move up to second on the ladder.

Echuca notched consecutive wins in Goulburn Valley League netball on Saturday, overturning a half-time deficit to defeat Seymour by eight goals at Kings Park.

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After a first loss of the season to Mooroopna in round five, Echuca responded with a solid win over Shepparton United last time out, while Seymour entered the meeting eyeing a third straight win.

The clash was expected to be close and started out as such, with the two sides deadlocked at 8-8 after 11 minutes before the host pulled away late in the first period, scoring five of the last seven goals to lead 13-10 at the first break.

Echuca ensured that Seymour’s minor lead didn’t balloon at the start of the second quarter, with both teams resuming their earlier trading of goals, though the Murray Bombers were able to tie the scores again a minute before half-time, only for the Lions to net two quick goals and take a 25-23 lead into the main break.

The third quarter would see Echuca begin to exert more of its authority on the match, scoring eight of the first 13 goals in the term and retaking the lead in the 40th minute — the first time it held an advantage since the six-minute mark — with the Murray Bombers being up by a goal heading into the fourth.

Echuca still needed another push to separate from Seymour and it would save its best quarter until last, putting on a clinic at both ends.

Bronwyn Slater’s team held the Lions to seven goals in the period while piling on 14 of its own, a tally built by netting six of the first seven and six of the final seven baskets, with Echuca wearing down Seymour in a 48-40 triumph.

The trio of Sheridan Townrow, Belinda Lees and Rose Byrne once again led the way in terms of goal scoring, with 24, 16 and seven, respectively, while Kate Head also added one to Echuca’s tally.

The victory was particularly important as the Murray Bombers took advantage of undefeated sides Euroa and Mooroopna facing each other, a match that saw the Magpies prevail to stay top of the ladder, while the Cats dropped below Echuca by having a worse percentage.

Every team will serve a general bye in the league this weekend before Echuca faces Shepparton, the other team alongside Mooroopna that is level on points with the Murray Bombers on the ladder and currently sitting fourth.