The Blues entered the contest against Mulwala secure in the knowledge that only a defeat by an astronomical margin would put them at risk of losing their finals place, but the side was nonetheless eager to make a statement against a finals rival.
Tongala looked good in the early going and an upset was on the cards after it took a 15-12 lead into the first break.
However, the top-three bound Mulwala wasn’t looking to go quietly and it put together a clinical defensive quarter to surge ahead 30-21 by the main break.
The Blues stemmed the bleeding in the third, but weren’t able to make any inroads and Mulwala made another surge in the fourth to claim the win 56-43.
The result doesn’t mean much for Tongala’s finals road.
The Blues dropped one place to fifth, below Moama, but will still take part in the 4v5 elimination final, against the Magpies, this weekend.
Moama and Tongala have engaged in some close battles in recent seasons.
Their last meeting, three weeks ago, swung two goals in Tongala’s favour, an identical margin to the 2024 preliminary final, when it was Moama that advanced.
The sides will meet at Congupna on Sunday.
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