Moama has taken an important step in its finals bid, claiming a one-goal win over Rumbalara in the Murray Netball League A-grade competition.
The round 19 clash was important to both sides, with crucial ladder positions still to be sorted before finals.
Moama sat in sixth heading into the clash, just one win ahead of Congupna in seventh, knowing a victory was vital in ensuring its season continued.
“(We’re) really happy, we knew it was a must-win for our finals hopes to stay alive,” Moama coach Jodie Lake said after the game.
“The girls were pumped from the very first whistle and came out firing.”
It was a defensive masterclass at Moama Recreation Reserve, with both sides making life tough for the opposing shooters.
Abby Larkin, Alex Daly and Lake were influential for Moama in the defensive third as the best players on court, which Lake said played a big part in the win.
“We knew their defence would be a force to be reckoned with,” she said.
“Our young girls did a stellar job, but our defence was key to really putting the pressure on their talls.”
The tense 32-31 win means Moama jumps into fifth on the ladder, relegating cross-border rival Echuca United to sixth.
The Magpies still sit just one game ahead of Congupna (seventh) after the Road claimed a big win over Barooga, however a superior percentage should mean they are relatively safe regardless of next week’s results.
Moama will travel to Mulwala for the final round of the home-and-away season, taking on the fourth-placed Lions in what could be a preview of the week one finals match-up.
Mulwala took the four points from the Magpies they last time they faced each other way back in round one, claiming a 38-32 win.