Echuca has distanced itself from Rochester in second place on the Goulburn Valley League football ladder after vanquishing struggling Benalla at Victoria Park in round 15.
Travelling to Victoria Park, the Saints knew they were in for a long day with the game progressing as many believed it would, albeit not in as dominant fashion as Echuca would’ve liked.
However, the Murray Bombers came out of the gates firing, with electric young forward Hugh Byrne nailing a trio of goals and Tighe O’Brien chipping in with one to open the host’s account while holding Benalla to no score.
The Saints clapped back in a big way in the second period, with Mark Marriott finding a goal early, while limiting the Murray Bombers to two behinds by the half-time siren.
With the difference 13 points at the start of the third period, Echuca grabbed the match by the scruff, with another two goals to Byrne, leading a barrage of five majors to put Benalla (1.1) in the dirt.
While the Murray Bombers came back to earth down the stretch, with Samuel Edgar kicking their only maximum, they subdued Benalla to two behinds to secure a solid 46-point win.
Byrne’s top-tier performance in front of goal (5) awarded him best-on-ground honours for the green machine with Cameron Valentine, Luke Edwards, Tighe O’Brien and Riley Smith also putting in valuable shifts.
The 10.9 (69) to 3.5 (23) victory means Echuca has given itself some breathing room in second place from Rochester, which drew with Mansfield in round 15.
With the Murray Bombers charging into the finals, they’ll have an interesting match-up in round 16, hosting finals hopeful Shepparton at Victoria Park on Saturday.
The Game
Scores
Echuca: 4.2, 4.4, 9.6, 10.9 (69)
Benalla: 0.0, 2.3, 3.4, 3.5 (23)
Goals
Echuca: Hugh Byrne 5, Samuel Edgar 2, Tighe O’Brien 2, Makai Cronin
Benalla: Mark Marriott, James Martiniello, Nathan Wright
Scores
Echuca: Hugh Byrne, Cameron Valentine, Luke Edwards, Tighe O’Brien, Riley Smith
Benalla: Mark Marriott, Nicholas Warnock, Ryley Ely, James Martiniello, Nathan Hill