Echuca profits from wasteful Rochy

Echuca put itself 26-8 ahead at quarter-time by booting four of the first five majors.

Rochy kicked the first goal of the second term and the score sat at 27-14 midway through the quarter before Echuca put its foot down.

Simon Maddox’s side closed the first half with five majors in a row to take a comfortable 9.7 (61) to 2.5 (17) lead into half-time.

The final two quarters would see Echuca’s scoring slow down, while Rochester’s increased, but not with the efficiency needed to produce a comeback.

The Tigers were responsible for six of the first seven scores in the third quarter, but Ash Watson’s side could only make Echuca pay with two goals.

The Murray Bombers were held to 1.3 in the third, but still led by 36 entering the fourth term.

Rochy’s wayward goal-kicking would rear its ugly head again in the final period, the Tigers opening the quarter with five consecutive behinds as they failed to make their opportunities count.

Samuel Edgar’s goal towards the end of time was Echuca’s solitary score in the fourth and only its second major of the second half, with the Murray Bombers’ strong first two quarters setting up the 11.10 (76) to 5.18 (48) win.

Incredibly, Rochester accounted for 16 of the 21 scoring shots recorded in the second half, but only kicked one more goal than Echuca.

It was also only the second time all season that the Murray Bombers had conceded more scoring shots than their opponent.

Despite not being at its best, Echuca still secured victory by a solid margin and little continues to separate the second-placed Murray Bombers from league leader Shepparton.

The Bears edged Mooroopna by two points at Deakin Reserve, meaning they still hold first on percentage.

Echuca is the home side again in round 15, but will be at Echuca South Recreation Reserve as it welcomes Kyabram.