Echuca Moama drops from second spot

By Matthew Kappos

Aug 27, 2024

Jason Clancy makes a move for Echuca Moama. Photos: Rechelle Zammit Photo by Rechelle Zammit

In the penultimate round of the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association it was all to play for in the race for second position in the A-grade men’s competition.

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A pair of unfortunate forfeits from Strikers had awarded Echuca Moama the spot, but to keep it they needed to defeat the Strikers in round 11.

Unfortunately for Echuca Moama, the Strikers were in undeniable form on Sunday, taking the match and league position out of the locals’ hands with a 9-2 victory.

Echuca did find the goal through Adrian Rose and Thomas Kerr, but it wasn’t enough in the face of a Strikers scoring barrage.

Strikers’ Xavier McBain, the scorer of four goals in the match, tries to escape the reach of Echuca Moama’s Adrian Rose. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Xavier McBain struck four times for the Strikers, while Angus Cole, Duncan Moodie, Ben Costa, Kieran Murphy and Evan Collins each chipped-in with a score.

With Echuca Moama to play league-leaders Shepparton Youth Club in the final round and Strikers taking on a Mooroopna side whose only win this year has come via forfeit, it looks as if the locals are destined to finish the regular season in third.

Thomas Morphett looks to send a pass long. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Echuca Moama’s women’s side had the bye in the final round and remains unbeaten on top of the ladder heading into the finals, beginning on Saturday, September 7.

Strikers’ Ben Harman directs his teammates to mark up. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The B-grade men picked up a 5-1 win over Strikers this week, with William Kerr striking twice, while Adrian Rose, Jason Clancy and James Cations grabbed a goal each.

With a round to go, the side is sitting solid in third position, with no scope to move up or down in the final week.