Hosting the Purples at Moama Recreation Reserve, the Magpies looked to break their recent form slump and reinstate themselves as a premiership calibre side.
Unfortunately, the visitors got the jump on the Magpies early, finding the net on 14 occasions in the first quarter.
Moama still managed to keep pace with nine goals, remaining in striking distance five goals shy of the Purples at the first turn.
The second period brought with it a battle in the midcourt as scoring became difficult for both sides.
Nathalia made a good account of itself with eight goals in the lead up to half-time, but the Magpies struggled to break through the Purples’ defence, adding three goals.
Following the major break, Moama got back to work, goaling seven times in the third period, but Nathalia was firing on all cylinders, piling on 12 goals to stretch its lead out to 15 with a quarter to go.
Despite an increase in goal-scoring productivity from Moama (8) it wasn’t enough to dent the Purples’ substantial lead, with the visitors adding another 10 goals to cruise to a 17-goal victory.
The final score was 27-44.
While Moama still sits in fifth and will be expected to play finals with four rounds remaining in the home and away season, it is now tied with Numurkah on points with Tongala nipping at its heels half-a-game back in seventh.
The Magpies will have to bring their best in round 15 against a higher-ranked Deniliquin at Hardinge Street Oval.
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