Sport
Swan Hill showdown for Pirates; Rebels batten down hatch in GMTLA
Country Basketball League
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Echuca Pirates arguably have a tough fixture to start their latest CBL season, playing four of their first five games in opposition territory.
The balance of the fixture sees the association finish the season with a string of home games, though they will want to bank games early if they are to put themselves in the best position for a run at finals.
Fresh off a win (men’s) and loss (women’s) at Castlemaine last weekend, the Pirates hit the road again on Saturday, this time to Swan Hill.
The women will be putting extra focus on their defensive work this week, after conceding 73 points to the Cannons.
Swan Hill also lost their opening game to Kyneton, though only by a point — and in comparison to Echuca, outperformed the Pirates on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
Arlee Bennett will be one player to contain, after Bennett scored 19 points by dominating in the paint.
But it’s not just close to the post the Flyers are dangerous, with multiple players who can shoot the three (six three-point shots made in round one).
Leo Tenace’s men had no trouble on defence in their first hit out, holding the Cannons to a meagre 48-points.
But they will need to be at their very best against Swan Hill, after the Flyers easily blew past Kyneton, 85-36.
The Flyers had three players in double digits and eight across the board contributing points, similar statistics to the Pirates.
Offensively there is still plenty to work on for the Pirates, though the efforts of their bigs in Staci Richardson (16 points) and Tyler Phillips’ (12) in the opening game bode well for the Pirates.
The women’s game begins at 5pm, with the men’s to follow at 7pm at Swan Hill Basketball Stadium.
Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association
Rich River Rebels will fight to keep top spot in Division 1 on Saturday, hosting Numurkah Warriors in a 1v2 clash.
The reigning premiers are on a three-game winning streak and firing across the board.
Echuca Lawn travel to Shepparton to play the bottom-placed Phoenix Suns in an effort to climb the rankings.
GMLTA Round 5
Rich River Rebels v Numurkah Warriors (Rich River Tennis Club)
Echuca Lawn v Shepparton Lawn Phoenix Suns (Echuca Lawn Tennis Club)
Campaspe Tennis Association
After four rounds of CTA action, Echuca 1 tops the Division ladder with a 3-1 win-loss record.
They play LBU 1, along with Echuca 3 and LBU 2, at the Crofton Street courts on Saturday.
Rich River 1 plays Echuca 2, while Rochester hosts Elmore.
CTA Round 5
Rich River (1) v Echuca (2) Rich River Tennis Club
Rochester (1) v Elmore (1) Rochester Lawn Tennis Club
Echuca (3) v LBU (2) Echuca Lawn Tennis Club
Echuca (1) v LBU (1) Echuca Lawn Tennis Club
Bowls
Campaspe Midweek Division 1
First faces second with ladder leaders Moama hosting Deniliquin at Moama Bowling Club to decide who will hold the ascendancy at the top of the Midweek Pennant table.
Mathoura hosts Echuca, while Rich River welcomes Rochester.
Campaspe Weekend Division 1
Weekend Pennant leaders Echuca make the journey out to Tongala, Rich River host Moama at Rich River Bowls, and Mathoura head up the highway to face Deniliquin.
Rochester have the competition bye.
Bendigo Premier League
Moama’s strong start to their inaugural Premier bowls campaign continues against mid-table Inglewood away.