Echuca has prevailed in a thrilling 15-and-under Goulburn Valley League netball grand final over a brave Mooroopna.
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Despite the eventual 12-goal margin, it was a tense, gritty affair for much of the game, with the Murray Bombers only securing the title late in the final term.
Echuca made a fast start, looking sharp when in possession and putting the first two scores on the board through captain Rose Byrne, who looked in formidable touch early in goal attack.
Mooroopna took a while to steady, but found its footing after a few minutes to start to work into its defensive game.
The Murray Bombers continued to work the ball well inside to Byrne and Kate Head, who was also shooting well, while Ruby Morley started to impose herself in the midcourt, getting her hand to everything.
The Cats were down 8-5, but forced an Echuca turnover for a held ball for the third time in the term, highlighting their strong capabilities without ball in hand.
Byrne stood up well for the remainder of the term, taking all opportunities as she put Echuca up 11-6 at the first break.
The second term was a different story, as Mooroopna began to turn the tide.
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What a win: Echuca players hug it out after the final siren. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
In the zone: Mooroopna's Stella Freeman. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Scan ahead: Mooroopna's Jinaya Nurse. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Turn and go: Mooroopna's Laura Bergamin. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Young gun: Echuca's Rose Byrne. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Winding up: Echuca's Clare Edgar. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Looking for a teammate: Echuca's Ruby Morley. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Big crowd: Mooroopna fans show their support. Photo by Rechelle ZammitEchuca opened up a game-high seven-goal lead before the Cats began to turn up the pressure, intercepting the ball in defence and forcing the ball into attack, putting a run of six unanswered goals on the board to lead 17-16, their first lead of the day.
A late flurry from Echuca had it head into the half with a one-goal lead, although the Cats were well and truly on top of the contest.
Byrne again got Echuca off to a flyer, putting the first two on the board after the main break. But Mooroopna again made a move, stealing a two-goal advantage with Jinaya Nurse and Ava Krijt working well in tandem inside the circle.
Morley moved well at centre to find Byrne multiple times to end the term. Byrne and Head shot truly to restore the two-goal advantage at the final break.
The intensity rose in the final term and with the game on the line both teams were leaving nothing out there.
Head opened the scoring for the Murray Bombers, who were displaying pressure across the full court that had not been seen in the first three quarters.
The Cats stayed in touch, matching Echuca on the scoreboard as the teams reached 32-30, until the Murray Bombers made the decisive move.
Great intercepting play, borne through manic pressure, had Echuca put the final 10 goals of the game on the board without reply, running away with a 42-30 win.
Coach Gina Pearson was overjoyed at the final whistle, heaping praise upon her players.
“We’ve played this team three times. The first time we beat them quite easily, but then the next two they came back from big leads, which is what they did today,” Pearson said.
“But credit to the girls. We’ve discussed about being cool under pressure — they were able to control that and even with the noise we were able to come out (on top).
“That last quarter was amazing, we focused on taking a deep breath, taking our time and being in control and they were perfect today in that last quarter.
“We had some beautiful intercepts in our defensive end. Our big focus for today was defensive pressure and we really got it in that last quarter.”
The win also serves as redemption for Pearson and many of the Echuca girls after the heartbreak of losing last year’s decider.
“I’m so proud of them,” Pearson said.
“They’ve learnt from that (losing last year). They wanted it a lot, but they were also aware they needed to be cool under pressure.”
Byrne was the deserving best-on-court medallist, with her prowess in attack, especially her ability to make clutch shots when the moment demanded it, recognised by the umpires.