Coming off a fifth-placed finish in 2021, the Magpies began the new season as one of the top contenders after a busy off-season recruiting drive.
And while it may take a bit of time to get the chemistry clicking completely into gear, Moama coach Lisa Drysdale said there were plenty of positives to take out of the clash with premiership fancy Rumba.
“It was a challenging game; it was more physical than we anticipated. We were just up against it,” Drysdale told the Riverine Herald.
“Their approach to how they play is very, very different. They are very strong and very fast, and they got a few quick breaks on us when we lost the ball in attack.
“But everyone worked hard, there was no doubt about that, you could see we were all flat and knackered at the end of the day, everyone gave it their all.
“Everyone stayed level-headed, and we didn’t buy into the physicality and try to match them — we played our own game.”
She said the defensive part of the game was particularly pleasing, as they kept the star-studded Rumbalara squad to just 37.
“I thought our defenders held well, they got lots of intercepts and we just could not capitalise in the goal end,” she said.
“Defensively Tiarna Steele was wonderful and the same with Liv Mackenzie, and Jodie Lake was very instrumental when she came on at half-time.
“I wanted to see a few of our defensive plays set up and see how they would work, so they definitely worked when they were set up so that was pleasing to see.”
For Drysdale and her up-and-coming Magpie unit, the task does not get any easier this week as it makes the trip to Nathalia to face the reigning minor premiers.
“Nathalia are another great defensive team,” she said.
“Their style is quite different — they will play off the body a bit and they are very unassuming. They are very strong.”
Around the courts, Tongala will be hoping to make it two wins on the trot to start 2022 as they head over the border for a clash with Barooga.
Fresh off a 63-37 smashing of Echuca United last week, Blues coach Paige Waide said she was pleased with what her side produced.
“It was good to finally get a start altogether,” Wade said.
“It took a little time to hit our straps, but the team gelled fairly well and every quarter we got better.
“The first quarter was a bit of a tussle, but we managed to get going and pull away from them.
“Our defenders provided opportunities, and everyone played well.”
Rumbalara will be keen to keep its good form rolling as it takes on Mulwala on its home court.
Making amends will be at the top of Echuca United’s agenda, as it looks for a better showing in a clash with Deniliquin Rams.
Congupna will be keen to take a scalp as it welcomes a fired-up Cobram unit.
Finley concludes the round two match-ups with a clash against a Numurkah team searching for chemistry after its return to the A-grade competition last week.
