Keen to avoid consecutive defeats and regain some momentum, the Murray Bombers went to Tongala Recreation Reserve, one of its adopted homes this season, motivated to avenge the defeat to a Lions side it may encounter in the post-season.
The host made a good start, finding the first three scoring shots and jumping out to a 13-0 advantage.
Seymour had an answer and found itself on the attack more often than not late in the term, but the Lions could only convert one of its five scoring opportunities, going into the first break down 14-10.
A back and forth start to the second term again gave way to a Seymour barrage and the Lions would kick five straight goals to break the game open, a late one from Echuca reducing the margin to 16 at half-time.
The Murray Bombers got back on track after the break, kicking two goals to close the gap and should have led after four straight trips to the Lions’ end resulted in only minor scores.
All tied up, Seymour crept ahead with behinds of its own, but Echuca closed out the period with three of the last four goals to get back on top by nine with a quarter to play.
On several occasions, the Lions were within a handful of points and a pair of time-on goals cut the margin to two late, but Echuca held its nerve and prevailed by three points 12.13 (85) to 12.10 (82).
The win mathematically locks in a top two finish for the Murray Bombers and with it the valuable finals double chance in week one.
Only half the Goulburn Valley League sides suited up in the weekend’s split round and Echuca will have this weekend off as the remaining squads complete their fixtures.
Echuca’s penultimate game, on August 15, is at Deakin Reserve against a desperate Shepparton United.
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