Champions: Echuca United claimed the C-grade premiership with a nine-goal win over Moama. Photo: Steve Huntley
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Steve Huntley
For Echuca United, the sequel was nearly as good as the original after claiming back-to-back Murray Netball League C-grade premierships on Saturday.
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The Eagles claimed consecutive crowns in a clinical nine-goal victory over Moama, three years after winning the 2019 decider.
United backed up that performance with a strong display in a rain-soaked encounter to knock off the Pies in a dramatic finale.
The final score read 39-30 after a first-half arm wrestle, but with the arrival of the second-half came the forecast wet weather for Saturday’s grand final day at Moama.
And with the inclement weather came the on-court advantage for the Eagles as they streaked away with the premiership.
Eagles captain Caitlyn Smith paid tribute to her side.
“They’re just an awesome group of girls. We love each other’s company, which makes it more fun on the day,” Smith said.
Coming in looking to rectify their nine-goal defeat to Moama in the semi-final, the Eagles made no mistake this time around.
Options: Echuca United’s Zara Retallick looks for a teammate in the C-grade grand final. Photo: Bransen Gibson
“We just played it slow, steady and we played our brand of netball,” Smith said.
“The rain kind of slowed Moama down, so we were able to play it a bit smart instead of just trying to keep up with them.
“The girls just kept fighting and fighting.”
A pair of Eagles drew Smith’s praise post-game as goalkeeper Kate Donehue’s stellar week on the awards front continued.
Donehue was judged best-on-court less than a week after placing runner-up in the C-grade best-and-fairest vote count, while Holly Davidson in centre and Smith in goals were among the best.
“Kate gives 100 per cent every game she plays,” Smith said.
“She lives for this and just loves her teams and her mates. She definitely deserved (best-on-court).
“Holly Davidson in the centre just smashed it, she brought that intensity today.”
After taking best-on-court honours, Donehue said it felt “surreal” to be premiers after a stellar year for the team.
“It feels a bit surreal at the moment, such a good feeling,” she said.
“It was an awesome team performance. The best-on could have gone to anyone on the court. It’s been awesome this season, playing at United with some friends was the idea and I’ve loved it. This just tops off a great year.”
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