Goulburn Murray Cricket women’s finals picture clears up with one round to go

United’s decision to bowl first backfired as Sharon Henson took the early departure of opening partner Gillian Noelker in stride, keeping the board ticking over with four boundaries before retiring.

Dianne Poole’s two wickets were the only standout resistance from the home side, who found themselves tasked with chasing 107 to win.

Losing regular barometer Mel Saunders just four runs into the hosts’ chase foreshadowed the difficulties to come, and United’s reply innings never found a proper rhythm thereafter.

United (7-4) would stumble to 6-56 from its 20 overs, suffering a massive setback in the finals context of season 2023-24.

Meanwhile, Echuca Green (8-1) has again returned to the fore of serious title discussions by establishing crucial breathing room in second spot.

Mooroopna (9-0) continues to hold all comers at bay, though, maintaining its firm hold at the summit with a convincing eight-wicket win over Kyabram (5-4) at home.

Four ducks down the Redbacks’ order were the product of relentless pressure from the Cats’ bowling attack led by Charlie Nicholson’s figures of 4-12, with the visitors falling from 5-56 to 64 all out.

Mooroopna’s batters locked in a statement victory inside 12 overs as the Redbacks suffered a stinging blow to their deep finals aspirations.

The league saw its first draw of the campaign at Victoria Park, with Echuca White (2-1-6) and Rochester (1-7-1) finishing deadlocked at 70.

A chaotic final over in Echuca White’s chase saw a parade of extras and a wicket fall before scores remained level after a dot ball on the day’s final delivery, salvaging a result for Rochester on the road.

A difficult season continued for Nathalia (3-7), whose offence was held to just 47 by a miserly Nagambie (7-3) bowling contingent.

The effort was such that even the dismissals of openers Shae and Evie Merrifield - both for golden ducks - could do little to dissuade the Lakers from scooping the simplest of victories.

To round out the regular season’s penultimate round, relief arrived at last for Cooma (1-7) in collecting its maiden victory of a season that looked down and out.

Though finals have long been out of the question, Cooma delivered at last in an 18-run triumph over Bamawm-Lockington United (2-7) to at least provide a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon next weekend.

With one round to play and United’s hopes of securing the minor premiership extinguished, the race for the top spot is down to two as Mooroopna travels to Cooma in hopes of clinching in comfort.

However, Echuca Green could snatch pole position at the death away at BLU should the near-unthinkable happen.

The finals-bound teams have been known for some time, but after Kyabram’s heavy defeat, a below-par net run rate virtually consigns the Redbacks to sixth in advance.

United and Nagambie enter the weekend in control of their own abilities to host elimination finals.

Still, fifth-placed Katamatite can and will nab a home final if the Tigers can knock off the Lakers on the road.