On the road at Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park, the Border Raiders found themselves in a real arm wrestle with Castlemaine, the two sides having gone into the clash separated by a single point.
The defences were on top in the first half, and despite good opportunities, neither club could break the deadlock through the first 45 minutes.
The Border Raiders came out of the sheds with renewed fire and broke the game open in the second half, junior Charley Schwencke finding the opener within five minutes of the resumption.
With parity broken, the game started to open up as Castlemaine searched for the equaliser, providing opportunities for the Border Raiders to capitalise on the counter.
Eventually, things again broke the locals’ way, as Jessica Pemberton doubled the advantage on the 75-minute mark.
However, nervy defence saw Castlemaine earn a penalty just four minutes later, Jo Dunbar making no mistake from the spot.
It resulted in a tense final 10 minutes as the host searched for an equaliser, but the Border Raiders held firm to secure the three points, 2-1.
The win keeps Echuca-Moama within touch of the top, remaining just two points behind Swan Hill, the only side to beat the locals this year.
The Border Raiders’ next game is against winless La Trobe University, back home at Jack Eddy Oval on Saturday.
The game will get going early, with a 9.45am kick-off.
The Border Raiders men’s team benefited from a forfeit from its Castlemaine Green opponents.
The resulting three points will put the side back on top of the ladder, albeit with one more game played than second-ranked Swan Hill, which is two points back.
The top two are set to clash on Saturday at Jack Eddy Oval in a 3pm kick-off.
