Tongala continues early form with win over Rumbalara

By Matthew Kappos

May 12, 2024

Making their mark: Tongala has an impressive early season record of 4-2. Dominic Watt kicked one goal in the win against Rumbalara at the weekend. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Tongala has added another mark to its win column after defeating Rumbalara in round six of the Murray Football League on Saturday.

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Tongala Recreation Reserve played host to the clash where AFL great Brett Deledio and brother Matt bolstered the Blues as they claimed victory by 23 points.

It was a game not without its challenges as Rumba, who was only 1-4 entering the game, went with the Blues throughout the first half.

Tongala kicked three goals in the first quarter but Rumbalara trailed by just two points after kicking two of its own and adding four behinds.

It was the visitor who again had the majority of the scoring shots in the second quarter, but the lack of clear-cut opportunities meant inaccurate goal-kicking from Rumba.

Still, at half-time the scores were level with Tongala’s 5.1 (31) now matched by Rumba’s 4.7 (31).

After Rumbalara briefly took the lead in the third term, Tongala finally broke away at the end of the period, kicking four unanswered majors to finish the quarter and establish a 58-40 advantage going into the last.

The sides traded goals back and forth in the final term but Tongala had done enough and ran out the winner 13.6 (84) to 8.13 (61).

It was a balanced goal-kicking effort from the Blues with Sam Cipriani, coach Billy Barnes, James Ross and Jordan Souter, making his 200th appearance for the club, kicking two apiece.

Both Deledio brothers added a goal, while Bryce Denham, Jessie Johnstone and Dominic Watt rounded out the goal-kickers list.

Tongala is 4-2 on a congested Murray league table, with four other teams sharing that record, just behind Congupna and Moama who lead the league at 5-1.

It has been an impressive start to the year for the Blues, who won just five matches last season.

They will have a chance to match that mark next Saturday when they travel to Cobram to take on the Tigers (3-3).

Blues’ first defeat comes in shocking fashion

Shock defeat: Sienna Johnstone (pictured in round five) and Tongala were on the end of a 29-goal defeat to Rumbalara on Saturday. Photo by Aidan Briggs

In a clash between undefeated sides Rumbalara and reigning premier Tongala, it was known that, barring a draw, one team would face defeat for the first time all year.

However, it is doubtful many could have anticipated such a one-sided scoreline between two very strong netball sides.

Rumbalara took the contest not by a handful of goals but by 29, 73-44, making a statement at the expense of the defending champion.

Having rarely been troubled this year, Rumba now looks the undisputed team to beat in the Murray Netball League as it improves to 6-0.

For Tongala, work will need to be done to regroup and refocus, with a match against eighth-placed Cobram next Saturday likely a good opportunity to return to winning ways.

The Blues will not have a chance to avenge this defeat until the final round of the regular season when they face Rumba again on August 24, in what could be the prelude to a qualifying final if both teams maintain their positions until then.