Shepparton has had the reigning premier’s measure this season, now accounting for Echuca twice after the round seven encounter, and reaffirming its status as a challenger to the A-grade throne.
In the side’s first outing of 2022, Echuca captain Sharon Henson opted to bat first, but the innings was off to a rocky start with Henson falling to the in-form Dinesha Patabandige on the third ball of the day.
Danielle Garden strode out to the crease and posted 16 runs before her dismissal in the seventh over, while Delaney Laffy added 15 before also departing.
Maisy Byrne provided a valuable 10 runs before Shepparton’s Cathy Dervish (3-13) clamped down on Echuca’s run-scoring, but Grace Riddell and Sienna Varcoe pushed the home side’s score to 5-90.
With the ball, Garden claimed 2-10 while Isla Laffy and Marli Hollamby each chalked up a scalp of their own.
But Shepparton was largely unbothered in the run chase as Lauren Hall (17) and Rachael Gardiner (13) safely navigated their side to a six-wicket win in the 18th over.
It’s Echuca’s second defeat of the 2021-22 season, with both coming against Shepparton.
Echuca has now slipped out of the A-grade top two, locked with Beechworth Wanderers on three wins, two losses.
Across the grade, Leitchville-Gunbower was awarded points after receiving a forfeit from Beechworth Wanderers.
Bamawm Lockington United had the bye.
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