Tongala maintains perfect season with win against Moama

A see-sawing first half saw neither team able to establish a long-term advantage, with Tongala nailing a goal on the half-time siren to take the lead 27-26.

The match turned in the third quarter as the Blues put themselves well on top through quick hands and physical play on defence.

While both sides had been finding their way to the ring with regularity off their centre passes, in the third Moama was unable to work its way to the semi-circle, with passes routinely cut off or forced astray by the Blues’ defenders.

The impressive quarter saw Tongala carve out a double-digit lead 42-31 and, while Moama was able to shave a few scores off that deficit before full-time, the game was Tongala’s by eight goals.

“Credit to Moama, they're a great team,” Tongala coach Grace Hammond said.

“We always look forward to coming up against them, they always put it to us, but really proud of my girls for having the ability to put that foot down in the second half and come away with a good win.”

Hammond credited her side’s composure with being able to break away in the third quarter.

“We just had a few conversations at half-time about not necessarily changing our style of play but just taking a breath and relaxing,” she said.

“I say to my girls all the time they’re all in A-grade because they know how to play netball, so don't complicate it, take a breath and we gathered ourselves at half-time.

“(We) got that voice happening in the second half which allowed us to do our swaps and changes in the ring and get our hands to a few balls, so really positive from the girls on the defensive end for sure.”

Hammond praised goal keeper Gemma Brennan for putting her body on the line and winning the ball for her side with regularity.

The Blues face an enticing clash next Saturday as the league’s two undefeated sides will do battle when Tongala hosts Rumbalara.

Moama, now 3-2, will travel to Barooga where it will be a heavy favourite against the winless Hawks.