Moama entered the fixture without defeat through two games, while Tongala had put together consecutive wins after a round one loss.
A tight match-up was expected and both sides followed that script early on, largely trading goals in the first period as Tongala took a slender 11-10 lead into the first interval.
The second quarter was eerily similar, until the latter stages leading into half-time, as Moama put together a run of five straight goals to edge the scoring for the period and take a 25-23 advantage into the main break.
Tongala had yet to put together a run of its own, though it was in the third term that it took control of proceedings, scoring 14 of the 17 goals netted in the game from the 35th to the 44th minute to suddenly enter the fourth with an eight-goal lead.
Needing a response in the final quarter, Moama came out firing, scoring six of the first eight goals netted in the term.
But Tongala wrestled some control back down the stretch, slowing the Magpies down while adding enough to its tally to see off a late surge, the Blues winning 51-45.
Chicky Vick led all scorers in the match with 30 for Tongala, her physicality at times being overwhelming for the Moama defence.
Tas Dodos and Milly Brock assisted Vick with 10 and 11, respectively, while Holly Swatton led the Magpies’ scorers with 21.
The win placed Tongala above Moama on the ladder in third, the Blues serving a bye in round five while the Magpies have a challenge away to Nathalia, which is unbeaten through its first three games.
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