Local sides are jostling for positioning in the Murray Netball League top six as the end of the regular season draws near.
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Tongala and Moama gave their hopes of finishing in the competition’s top two a boost by defeating Mulwala and Cobram, respectively, while further down the table Echuca United notched its fourth win of the season.
Tongala v Mulwala
Tongala edged past second-placed Mulwala in a back and forth encounter at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
The two premiership contenders were evenly matched from the outset, being locked at 9-9 after the opening 10 minutes.
The Lions started to break clear with three straight goals, leading 12-9, but the Blues immediately tied scores with the same run.
A thrilling contest was set up for the final three periods, as Mulwala only led 15-14 at the first interval.
Tongala suddenly gave itself a little cushion early in the second period, leading 20-17 after 19 minutes, which it largely maintained for the remainder of the first half, the Blues up 31-29 at the main break.
After being marginally better than the Lions in the second quarter, Abby Pettifer’s side only improved in the third, which was its best period of the day.
Mulwala had tied scores at 33-33 after 35 minutes before the Blues netted seven of the next nine to establish a five-goal lead heading into the fourth period.
The hosts held their nerve in the final 15 minutes, at one stage extending their lead to eight goals.
Mulwala finished strong, scoring six of the game’s final eight baskets, but it was too little, too late as Tongala claimed a huge win across four hard-fought periods, winning 59-55.
Blues goal attack Chicquita Vick led all scorers with 36, being aided by 22 from goal shooter Natasha Dodos.
Tongala (13-4) remains behind Mulwala on the ladder despite the win.
But the Blues now only trail on percentage in the race for second, which provides the carrot of a grand final qualifier against first in the second week of finals.
The Lions do have a game in hand, while their final two matches are against two sides outside the top six in Deniliquin and Echuca United.
Tongala would need the Rams or Eagles to cause an upset in either match to aid its pursuit.
But Pettifer’s side also needs to take care of business against lowly Finley in its last regular season game, which follows a second bye it will serve in round 19.
Cobram v Moama
Moama met expectations in a dominant 22-goal win over Cobram at Scott Oval, earning consecutive victories for the first time in just more than a month.
Goalmouth action was scarce early on, with the Magpies only taking a slender 8-4 lead into the first interval after their 5-0 run to open the match was pegged back.
Moama’s defensive effort was a highlight of the first half as it held Cobram to single digits, with the visitor beginning to pull away in the second period.
A run of six straight goals midway through the quarter pushed the Magpies’ lead into double figures, which they maintained at half-time, up 19-9.
Carri Carter’s side only got better after the main break, as it turned the screws on the struggling Tigers in the third period, winning the quarter 13-3.
Up by 20 goals entering the fourth, Moama didn’t rest on its laurels as it scored the first five of the final period to push its lead out to 25.
The hosts played right until the end and only lost the last 15 minutes 9-7, but the late efforts were redundant in the big picture as the Magpies claimed a 41-19 win.
Holly Swatton and Jinaya Nurse were the visitors’ two goal scorers on the day, netting 23 and 18, respectively.
Moama (12-4) is currently fourth on the ladder, a win off Mulwala and, like Tongala, in need of favours elsewhere if it wishes to force its way into the top two.
The Magpies have two regular season games left, with their next outing offering a solid tune-up for the finals against league leader Nathalia.
Finley v Echuca United
Echuca United snapped a four-game losing streak by comfortably disposing of Finley by 24 goals at Finley Recreation Reserve.
The last time the Eagles won before the round 18 meeting was when they last faced the Cats in round 13, and they made a solid start, jumping out to a 14-8 lead after the first period.
The second quarter saw a similar turn of events, as Leesa Hooppell’s side outscored Finley 15-7 and opened up a comfortable 29-15 half-time advantage.
The host came out stronger after the main break, scoring nine goals in the third period, but it was bettered again as the visiting Eagles added another 13 to their tally.
Despite holding an unassailable 42-24 lead going into the final quarter, Echuca United finished strongly with its best attacking period, scoring 16 more times to put a bow on a dominant 58-34 triumph.
Goal shooter Eliza Pearce continued her strong season by netting 43 of the away side’s goals, with Tiah Hooppell contributing the other 15.
Echuca United has been eighth on the ladder for some time, now being mathematically unable to catch Deniliquin in seventh.
But it will be favoured to win again on its next match, the Eagles welcoming winless Congupna to Echuca South Recreation Reserve.