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Sport

Eagles endure tough outing against Lions

Well played: Samuel Goodluck (pictured in round four against Rumbalara) was Echuca United’s best on what was a tough day for the side. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca United has slumped to its fifth consecutive loss of the Murray Football League season, falling by 142 points against reigning premier Mulwala.

Travelling to the Lonsdale Reserve Oval, the Eagles found the going tough against a formidable Lions outfit, going down 4.3 (27) to 25.19 (169).

While going goalless in the first term, Echuca United kept the Lions in sight, trailing by 34 points at quarter-time, although a seven-goal-to-one second quarter saw the Eagles trail by 75 points at the main break.

The third quarter proved a positive one for the visitors, however, matching Mulwala with three goals for the term, a sign of good intent from the young side despite the margin.

The back-to-back reigning premier, however, flexed its muscle in the final term to add another 10 goals, while restricting Echuca United to a solitary point.

Samuel Goodluck again impressed for the Eagles to finish in the best for the afternoon, as did Reece Sidebottom, and Bailey Sawyer.

Young ruckman Nash Ramage was among the better performers for United, while Luke Schwencke and Max Hobbs rounded out the best.

Skipper Brady Simpson was the only multiple goalkicker, with Jackson Gronow and Matthew Harris each contributing one major apiece.

The Eagles will host Nathalia and Barooga over the next fortnight as they look to develop, before they have a week off by virtue of another split Murray League round.

MNL

Echuca United fell to its fourth loss in the Murray Netball League season, going down by 15 goals against Mulwala.

The Eagles were brave in the 35-50 loss, but were unable to notch win number one under new coach Tanner Edwards.

With a 0-4-1 record from five rounds to sit 10th, the Eagles will face a tough task when they host third-placed Nathalia next weekend, although they will be well and truly in with a shot in a fortnight’s time when they play the winless Barooga.