Tight tussle: Sophie Atkinson and her Rumbalara teammates challenged undefeated Tongala on Saturday, but ultimately fell to the Blues by five goals.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Tongala has maintained its perfect start to the Murray Netball League season after edging past Rumbalara by five goals on Saturday.
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Rumba put up a stern challenge against the undefeated Blues, but Tonny was able to pull away late and hold on for a 48-43 victory.
It was am impressive performance from Rumbalara which was coming off an 11-goal defeat to Echuca United the week prior.
After a tight start, the visitor, Tongala, opened up a seven-goal advantage in the second term.
But Rumbalara battled back and cut the margin to a goal at one stage, before the Blues pulled clear again late.
In the eyes of Rumbalara A-grade coach Jess Bamblett, it was a fantastic showing from her side.
“I was very impressed with our whole team’s efforts. To only go down by five goals, I think that is pretty remarkable after last week’s loss to Echuca United,” Bamblett said.
“All I asked from the girls was just to play better than what we did last week and they did exactly that.
“I was very proud of the girls’ efforts and their second and third efforts that came with it.
“It was a tight tussle, there is not much you can do when Tonny’s Milly Brock is on point, there is not much you can do to stop that defensively.”
On the move: Herta Tischer out on court.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Quick pass: Nakiah Bamblett dishes the ball off to a teammate.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Secured: Meg Brennan comes down with the ball.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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On the lookout: Nakiah Bamblett searches for a teammate.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Up high: Tiarna Steel with the ball for Rumbalara.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Moving forward: Yilanii Atkinson looks to move the ball up court for Rumba.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Eyes on the ball: Natasha Atkinson-Brown gets set to receive a pass.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Bamblett said the loss to United highlighted some key areas the side needed to work on, while the game against Tongala showed positive signs for the future.
“After the loss we went back to training and we just tried to implement things that we could put into this week’s game and the things that we didn’t do last week we capitalised on this week,” she said.
“The girls dug deep and I think we really pushed Tonny to our limits. It was a great team effort.
“I think it shows real potential for us girls. There is no expectation this year, as long as we play better than we did the previous week and we keep progressing, that is all I could ask for.
“We played three good quarters of netball, now we just have to focus on playing four good quarters of netball.”
At Tocumwal, the league’s other undefeated side Deniliquin also extended its hot start to the campiagn with a 59-36 victory over the Bloods.
The Blues and Rams are 5-0 this season and currently stand as the benchmark of the competition.
Mulwala is hot on the heels of Deni and Tonny, sitting four points behind them in third following a 20-goal victory against Nathalia.
Congupna notched its third win of the campaign with a 39-29 triumph over Numurkah, while Moama topped Barooga 52-17 and United had a commanding 53-19 result against Cobram.
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