The weather was no doubt a factor in a scrappy and ultimately one-point game between Echuca United and Numurkah in Murray Football League.
The Eagles hosted the Blues at Echuca South Recreation Reserve and, after getting out to a big lead in the first quarter, were eventually run down over the second half.
The scoreboard read 3.7 (25) to 0 after the first period of play and United may have thought it was in for an easy afternoon.
There wasn’t much to speak of in the second, as the Blues got on the board with a behind and the Eagles were only able to add two minor scores of their own.
When the sides returned from the sheds after half-time, momentum shifted Numurkah’s way and the Blues got within striking distance after kicking two goals.
United was again unable to register a goal, settling for another pair of behinds in the term.
The Eagles still held a 15-point lead heading into the final quarter and squeezed through another minor score early to improve their advantage.
However, the Blues would chip away throughout the period, including adding two majors, drawing within one before edging past United with weight of behinds in the closing minutes.
Numurkah would get home in an unattractive game of football, 4.8 (32) to 3.13 (31).
Ryan Stobaus was responsible for two of the Eagles’ majors, while Oliver Poole slotted the other goal.
For Numurkah, Kepler Lukies, Benjamin Millen, Benjamin Smyth and Theo Thomas found the centre of the sticks.
Echuca United (5-10) is set to continue its run home with a visit to Rumbalara in two weeks as the league enters a split round over August 2 and 9.
The Game
Scores
Echuca United: 3.7, 3.9, 3.11, 3.13 (31)
Numurkah: 0.0, 0.1, 2.2, 4.8 (32)
Goals
Echuca United: Ryan Stobaus 2, Oliver Poole
Numurkah: Kepler Lukies, Benjamin Millen, Benjamin Smyth, Theo Thomas
Best
Echuca United: Bailey Sawyer, Brady Simpson, Matthew Harris, Riley Mason, Nicholas McKenner
Numurkah: Matthew Smyth, Benjamin Smyth, Kade O’Dwyer, Zach McKeown, Will Newman, Harry Hopkins