The two sides met in the decider last year, with the Rams picking up their second win over Rumba in as many meetings at Deniliquin on Saturday afternoon.
The home side was too strong for a younger, new-look Rumba outfit, claiming a 51-39 victory – almost an identical margin to the 11-goal grand final result six months ago.
Despite the defeat, Rumba coach Jess Bamblett said she was pleased with the performance her youthful side put in against the benchmark of the competition.
“I was very happy with the outcome considering that we had a young team,” Bamblett said.
“It is not the same team as last year, it is about nurturing the young girls coming through the ranks to A-grade. Considering the deficit, I was pretty happy.”
The Rumbalara mentor said it was a great experience for her side to get to go up against on a top-quality side in the Rams.
“It was important for the girls to see the peak of A-grade playing against the reigning premiers,” she said.
“I was pleased with how the girls stood their ground and played to their strengths. It is certainly a learning curve and it is only upwards from here.
“Young girls like Tallara Saunders, Nakiah Bamblett and Yilanii Atkinson played to their strenghts. Watch this space and they will only get better from here.”
Elsewhere, Tongala was the biggest winner in round one with an impressive 31-goal triumph over Echuca United.
Congupna and Nathalia had impressive victories, prevailing over Barooga 45-18 and Cobram 38-10, respectively.
Mulwala topped Moama 28-32, while Numurkah conquered Finley 30-26 in a hard-fought clash.
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