Echuca United, Jessica Davidson.Murray nettyMurray netball A-gradeRumbalara v Echuca United @Rumba
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Megan Fisher
Tongala has hit the front foot to take down Mulwala in a scintillating top-four bout.
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The Murray Netball League A-grade clash was a taste of what to expect in finals and it did not fail to deliver as the Blues edged out the Lions by eight goals on Saturday.
Tongala coach Grace Hammond was largely impressed by her side’s output, saying the proof was in the consistency shown on the court.
“It was a really good win for us to get the ball rolling a bit heading into finals,” Hammond said.
“We had to play four quarters of netball, but the girls just stuck at what we’ve done all season and kept to our structures and played a disciplined game of netball.
“We knew we had a few things to work on, Echuca exposed us in a few areas (last weekend), so we really hit the track hard, nailed down on a few little things and they were able to implement them to get the win.”
In the zone: Rumbalara's Nakiah Bamblett.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Arms up: Echuca United's Emily Cossar.
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Megan Fisher
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Give and go: Echuca United's Aisha Railton.
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Megan Fisher
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Pass it here: Echuca United's Tessa Bruni.
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Megan Fisher
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Eyes on the ball: Echuca United's Amy Sherlock.
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Megan Fisher
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Looking to pass it: Rumbalara's Sophie Atkinson.
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Megan Fisher
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Winding up: Rumbalara's Nakiah Bamblett.
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Megan Fisher
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Focused: Echuca United's Tessa Bruni.
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Megan Fisher
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I’m open: Echuca United’s Kate Pearson.
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Megan Fisher
Tongala’s surprise five-goal defeat to Echuca United spurred it into action against Mulwala.
The response was immediate.
Hammond’s charges took a 15-7 lead into quarter-time as Milly Brock and Meg Brennan worked together seamlessly stunning the Lions.
However, the visitors came back in a big way to reduce the deficit to one by the main break.
Tongala’s defence played a large part in securing the four points as the Blues won the third quarter 11-7 and Mulwala was restricted to six goals in the final quarter as the scoreboard read 44-36 at the siren.
Hammond made sure to give credit to her standouts who made the win possible.
“Milly Brock was really good down in goal shooter, she worked well with Meg,” she said.
“Our defenders were sensational all game as well, creating heaps of opportunities for us to convert on.”
The next two fixtures for Tongala are potential banana skins in Numurkah and Congupna.
Hammond is wary of the danger those games pose, saying full concentration is needed to avoid any slip-ups on the road to finals.
“We’re happy with where we’re at, the next two weeks are going to be tough games. Numurkah are always competitive and we actually haven’t played Congupna yet this season,” she said.
“It’ll be the first time and they’re the same ― they’re always competitive.
“We’ve just got to play every game like it’s a grand final and just keep chipping away at it.”
Meanwhile, Rumbalara has locked in a top four spot on the ladder following its 45-32 win over Echuca United.
The 13-goal triumph keeps Rumba in third spot and one game behind Tongala in second with two rounds left in the season.
Around the courts, Congupna took out a 38-26 result over Tocumwal, Moama thrashed Cobram 58-18 and Numurkah thumped Barooga 71-13.
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