Tatura’s Charlette Gray lines up a shot during the Bulldogs’ victory over Shepparton United.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Mid-season silverware was on the line when Shepparton United hosted Tatura in round nine of the Goulburn Valley League A-grade season on Saturday.
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The Family Care Cup was up for grabs as the Demons and Bulldogs battled it out to get an early bit of bling in the trophy cabinet and, though close, there could only be one winner at Deakin Reserve.
Tatura fended off a spirited challenge from United to retain the cup in a 50-42 classic, though at no point throughout the first three terms were Shinea Sali’s side out of the game.
The Demons started with a bang, stealing an early lead before Tatura wrested back a degree of power to hold a one-goal advantage at the first break.
Again, United pressed ahead in the early stages of the second quarter.
But all of a sudden, the foot came off the pedal — a mistake that proved crucial at the crunch.
Tatura piled on nine consecutive goals to surge into the lead once more and, this time, the Bulldogs refused to let it slip.
United was down by five goals at the half and seven at three-quarter time, needing something from the top shelf to turn this one around.
But Tatura, buoyed by the allure of a top four consolidation, kept the hosts at bay until the hooter and clung on to a tight, albeit deserved victory.
At Rochester, Shepparton boosted its record out to 9-0 thanks to a 10-goal triumph over the Tigers.
Kim Borger’s Bears were pressured but never in doubt of claiming the four points, closing out a 61-51 win on the road.
Mooroopna returned to the winners’ list after trumping Echuca 64-47, with Ash Lancaster named best-on-court thanks to a brilliant 49-goal showing.
Elsewhere, Shepparton Swans stayed within striking distance of the top six following their 41-20 beating of Mansfield, Euroa pummelled Kyabram 77-25 and Seymour dealt to Benalla by 41 goals.
