The opening round of the Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball season began with old foes Shepparton and Shepparton United battling it out on Good Friday.
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The 2019 grand finalists, United, wowed onlookers with a dominant performance as they sealed an emphatic 59-23 win.
With the late autumn sun beaming down on the courts at Deakin Reserve, it was a hot start to the contest as both sides got a feel to playing again.
The Demons gained the upper hand and led 11 to six after the opening term.
However, United's talented group flexed their muscles in the second quarter and piled on 16 goals to four.
Led by star recruit Zoe Davies and young gun Olivia Kirby, United intercepted and rebounded with ease as the Demons lead Bears 27-10 at half-time.
The Bears - led by former Wellman medallist Jacinta Todd - put in a spirited effort in the third term and won the quarter, but their comeback was short-lived.
United came out in the last term and amassed 23 goals to one as midcourter Elivia Hall delivered her teammates in goals passes on a silver platter.
● Around the courts, and Euroa was left stunned by a fast-finishing Tatura outfit as the sides settled for a thrilling 49-49 draw.
In stifling conditions, Tatura clawed back from four-goal deficit at the final break to share the points against a new-look Magpies outfit.
Euroa jumped out strongly and gained a two-goal advantage, building on their lead in the third term with another two goals as Eliza Hoare and Bree Poole ran riot.
But Tatura - through Roey Walls and Laura Ryan - fought back to level the scores.
“It was pretty close all game. We started really well but they kept on us and they were really tough,” Euroa's playing coach Ellie Warnock said.
The first-year coach highlighted that her side, with multiple new faces added in the off-season, still need time to gel.
“Just learning to trust each other,” she said.
“We are learning what the other player wants and needs.
“We need to settle a bit more (with the ball) and that's all about trust.”
● Meanwhile, Echuca issued a warning signal to the rest of the competition with a crushing victory over reigning premier Seymour.
The Murray Bombers raced away with a 32-goal second half effort as they saluted 58-26 against the Lions.
Echuca defenders Angela Slattery and Lauren Jones were judged best-on, while midcourter Meg Eishold contributed strongly.
● Out at Moon Oval, Rochester blew the socks off Kyabram with a 48-26 win.
After 18 months of no action, the start to the game was frantic, but the Tigers settled first and piled on 14 goals to five in the opening term.
Superb rebounding and stingy defence allowed Rochester to build its margin, but Kyabram fought hard to cause turnovers.
Some fresh legs injected life into the Tigers in the second half and powered on to clinch the four points.
Madison Egglestone and Kasey Conder were the standouts for the winners while Hollie Reid battled hard for Kyabram.
● Mooroopna walked away big winners over Mansfield.
The Cats dominated from start to finish and clinched a 58-34 win.
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