Rumbalara slumped to defeat in a home clash against Mulwala.
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Megan Fisher
Rumbalara slumped to defeat in round two of Murray League A Grade netball, falling to the sword against an in-form Mulwala outfit in a 57-32 loss.
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After falling to a 25-goal margin defeat, Rumbalara’s locker room chiefs will be eager to iron out these early-season teething issues - especially after going unbeaten last season en route to a memorable premiership title win.
The previous term’s invincibles did show some of their form of old in patches when they were able to move the ball cleanly through the midcourt and generate genuine scoring opportunities.
However, there is no getting away from the fact that this result will undoubtedly reverberate around the division.
After a competitive opening, the Lions gradually began to assert control, building its lead quarter by quarter through consistent pressure and efficient finishing as continued its strong start to the season.
Rumbalara’s attacking end was led by Felicity Geisler, who finished with 15 goals, while Jade Naylor and Jaydah Wanganeen also contributed as the side worked to stay in touch.
However, Mulwala’s ability to convert at a high rate, spearheaded by Stephanie Hammond’s 39 goals, ultimately proved difficult to contain.
As the game wore on, Mulwala’s depth and structure became more apparent, allowing it to extend the margin and close out the match strongly.
For Rumba, the focus will now be on building consistency across four quarters, with enough glimpses to suggest the foundations are there after last season’s premiership heroics.
The Rumbalara Recreation Reserve outfit had a bye for week one of the new league season, with Mulwala having come into the clash in confident mood after a statement 71 to 15 win over Congupnain the first round.
Elsewhere, Nathalia delivered the most emphatic result of the round, producing a dominant 77 to 33 win over Deniliquin Rams.
Jane Cook led the charge with 49 goals in a clinical attacking display, as Nathalia maintained its unbeaten start to the season.
Moama and Mulwala remain alongside Nathalia as the competition’s early frontrunners, with Moama comfortably defeating Congupna 55 to 17.
Tongala also made a statement, pulling away after half-time to dispatch of Numurkah 60 to 44 in a strong second-half performance.
Cobram rounded out the winners with a 42 to 26 victory over Finley, bouncing back well from its opening-round loss.
Brianna Armitage was again influential in the shooting circle, finishing with 32 goals.
While the early ladder is beginning to take shape, round two reinforced the gap between the competition’s frontrunners and those sides still finding their rhythm in the infancy of the new term.
For Rumbalara, the challenge now is to re-find its groove from last season and produce sustained performances as the campaign progresses.
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