Nine months on from its 41-run loss at the hands of Echuca in last season's big dance, the combine arrived at Victoria Park with one thing in mind; revenge.
But it was not to be, as Echuca pulled out all the stops to cruise to a 57-run win.
An unplayable delivery from Macey Brereton had Leitchville-Gunbower off to the perfect start, removing opener Sharon Henson for a duck to leave the home side sprawling.
But as Echuca so often does, the host's order knuckled down to transform the shaky start into a solid platform.
Grace Moyle and Danielle Garden shouldered the bulk of the run-making duties, retiring not out for 35 and 22 respectively as Echuca sailed to 5-120 from 20 overs.
Sent into bat, Brereton began brightly for Leitchville-Gunbower before a sharp piece of fielding ended her innings on 23.
Leitchville-Gunbower was soon made to pay shortly after the opener's dismissal.
A rollicking seven wickets within a 17-run space pulled the rug out from under the visiting side, and left Echuca with all six points.
A valiant knock from Lia Beecroft (32*) wasn’t enough to steer Shepparton United to victory over Kyabram Fire Brigade.
The opener took on the responsibility of ticking the scoreboard over, but she could do little about the wickets falling around her as United limped to 9-64.
Fire Brigade then started its innings with a bang, adopting a swing-from-the-hip approach from the off.
Lauren Hall (29*) slashed four boundaries on her plight to lead Kyabram over the line, successfully doing so during the six-wicket triumph.
At Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval, Lockington-Bamawm United was no match for Beechworth Wanderers.
The former had little trouble dealing with LBU’s bowling line-up, smacking 12 boundaries to post 1-133.
United had little joy in the chase, with Bree Styles’ 25 from 30 not enough to get the job done for her side.
● Nathalia kicked off its campaign in B-grade with a barnstorming dressing down of Kyabram.
The Purples bowled the house down on the road, skittling the host's order to leave the Redbacks on 8-56 after 20 overs.
Nathalia’s bats then finished the job, staying patient at the crease to see out the eight-wicket sweep.
More local sport
Financial backing needed to keep national volleyball event in Cobram-Barooga
GMLTA - round one GM1 action excites across the region
Picola District league recruiting wrap
