The pick of the weekend’s sports action will see sixth-placed Tongala host seventh-placed Moama in the Murray Football League, with the winner strengthening its hopes of making finals.
While locals and visitors enjoy the Winter Blues Festival this weekend, there is also plenty of sports action happening across the region.
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Echuca takes on Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley League at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, with both Murray Bombers sides looking to extend their impressive winning streaks.
The senior football clash will see Simon Maddox’s team hunt for an eighth straight win, with the reigning premier Bombers currently locked in a tight tussle for finals qualification.
Meanwhile, Echuca’s netballers will be heavily favoured to record a win against bottom-placed, winless Kyabram, with Bronwyn Slater’s side eyeing 10 consecutive victories.
In the Murray league, Moama takes on Tongala at Tongala Recreation Reserve, while Echuca United travels to face Deniliquin at Hardinge Street Oval.
Both clashes between the Magpies and Blues have significant ramifications.
In senior football, Moama is currently seventh, just behind sixth-placed Tonny with a game in hand, and a win this weekend would put the Magpies back in pole position to secure a finals spot.
Meanwhile, a win for either side in the A-grade netball clash would put it in the box seat to finish third on the ladder, with Tongala also searching for a fourth straight victory.
Echuca United’s matches against the Rams will carry less weight, with both sides effectively out of the finals race.
The Eagles are also facing an uphill battle to feature in the post-season for A-grade netball, but can put a dent in Deni’s hopes with a win, the Rams sitting directly above Echuca United in seventh.
In the Heathcote District Football Netball League, Lockington-Bamawm United has the bye this weekend, but Leitchville-Gunbower is playing Elmore at Leitchville Recreation Reserve.
The Bombers’ football side needs to win to move back on level points with fifth-placed Lockington, and will be favoured to do so against the bottom-placed Bloods.
Meanwhile, the A-grade netball clash sees eighth-placed Leitchville take on sixth-placed Elmore, and a win for the Bombers would keep them in the finals race for another week.
Finally, to the Picola District Football Netball League, where Mathoura travels to Blighty Recreation Reserve to face Blighty.
The Timbercutters have a realistic chance of winning in both codes, as both Mathoura and the Redeyes have the same record in football and netball.
Mathoura has a prime opportunity to record its first A-grade netball victory this season on Saturday against Blighty, the competition’s only other winless side.
Picola United takes on Katandra at Picola Recreation Reserve with the 12th-placed Blues facing the undefeated league leader.
The A-grade netball clash will see Picola under pressure to win so it can maintain its place in the top eight, though victory will not be easy against fourth-placed Katandra.
All football and netball matches will take place on Saturday, July 25.
Soccer
Echuca-Moama Border Raiders men have another bye this weekend, but the second-placed women will face fourth-placed Epsom.
That clash occurs on Sunday, July 26 from 11am at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve.
Women’s football
Moama’s women and youth girls will both take on Shepparton United at Wanganui Oval on Friday, July 24.
The women lost their previous clash with the Demons in round two, who are undefeated and the only side above Moama on the ladder.
A win for the Magpies would put them level on points, with the action starting at 7.30pm.
Moama’s women’s side has a huge top of the table clash against Shepparton United on Friday.
The youth girls start earlier at 6pm, aiming to move a game closer to recording an undefeated season with a win against the Demons.
Elsewhere, Echuca United’s youth girls take on Eaglehawk on Sunday, July 26 in the Central Victoria Football League. The clash starts at 11am.
Hockey
Both senior Echuca-Moama Hockey Club sides are in action for round 10 in the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association on Saturday, July 25.
The women face Shepparton Strikers at 1.15pm, looking for consecutive wins for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, the men will look to build on a first win last time out when they play Shepparton Strikers Red at 2.45pm.
Racing
The Echuca Racing Club will hold a meet on Friday, July 24 as part of the Winter Blues Festival.
The eight-race meeting will start at 12.35pm, with the gates at the racecourse open from 11.30am.
The entertainment on offer includes Pete Campbell and The Lazy Dog performing from noon to 1.30pm, Sweet Felicia and The Honeytones from 2pm to 3.30pm and Jimi Hocking’s Blues Machine from 4pm to 5.15pm.
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