Gallery | Goulburn Valley Hockey Association roars back to life with opening weekend in Shepparton

By Liam Nash

Apr 29, 2025

Echuca-Moama Green edged out Strikers in Saturday’s opening round of action. Photo by Megan Fisher

Sticks were gripped and ready to rip as Goulburn Valley Hockey Association finally kicked into gear at the weekend.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Despite a fizzle out in the sole A-grade men’s clash — where Echuca-Moama forfeited to hand Strikers a default win — the goals at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex still got a proper workout in other scheduled matches.

In the women’s division, Echuca-Moama Green banked a narrow 3-2 victory over Strikers to start its premiership defence with a bang.

Courtney Thompson’s brace, paired with Megan Farrell’s strike, was enough to propel the border side past Strikers in a tense grand final rematch.

Meanwhile, Echuca-Moama White thumped Euroa 8-2 as Rebecca Webb piled on four on her lonesome for the River Rats.

For Euroa, Kim Hammill (two goals) was a standout in the loss.

Elsewhere, Mooroopna gained its first win of the Women’s Vic League Two season courtesy of a 3-1 result against Knox Hockey Club.

Cats’ stalwart Kim Starkey was at the double during the victory, while Rupinder Raina was Mooroopna’s other scorer.

In the men’s B-grade fixtures, Echuca-Moama scored a 3-1 win against an undermanned Mooroopna side while Shepparton Youth Club came away 3-0 victors over Strikers.

News photographer Megan Fisher was pitch side to capture the women’s match between Echuca-Moama Green and Strikers.