Blues repeat underdog victory against Rams

After Deni took both meetings with Tongala this season, the Blues flipped the script on the Rams again to record a victory by the narrowest of margins, 50-49.

Tongala jumped ahead early in the contest, leading 15-10 at the first break, but a Deniliquin run saw the Rams lead the game at half-time by a single goal.

A further one goal was added to the lead in the third, but it was the Blues who did just enough in the dying minutes to secure the match.

It had been a chaotic week for A-grade sides after a player eligibility mix-up caused the final regular season round’s results changed, with these two sides originally scheduled for separate finals.

When the Blues upset Deni in their first finals game in 2023, it resulted in Tongala claiming the Murray Netball League flag.

If Tonny wishes to repeat that feat, they must first get past Nathalia next week, the Purples masterminding their own upset at the weekend, toppling third-placed Finley.

Other results

Reserves

Moama kept its season alive against Tongala, goal accuracy proving the difference in a 7.1 (43) to 5.7 (37) victory.

Tonny will rue its four extra scoring shots, with the Blues kicking five behinds in the final quarter as they looked to come back from a 17-point three-quarter time deficit.

Jake Galpin was chief among the Magpies’ snipers, kicking four to lead his team.

Under-17s

Tongala has crashed out of contention, falling to Mulwala in elimination finals.

The Lions had home field advantages against the Blues on Saturday and took full advantage, opening up a 20-point lead at the first break and going on with it to secure a big win.

The lead ballooned above 30 at the final break and a scoreless final term didn’t help matters for Tonny, eliminated 3.2 (20) to 9.10 (64).

Under-14s

It was a similar story for the under-14s with Tonny taken out in the elimination final.

Tongala was well-handled by Cobram on Saturday, the Tigers big 10.5 (65) to 1.5 (11) winners.

Strong first and third quarters were key for Cobram, while the Tigers’ defence was also stifling, not allowing a goal until the final term.

Netball

Under-15s

Tongala advanced to week two at the expense of Echuca United, logging what turned out to be a dominant win over the Eagles, 45-23.

A sluggish first half from United allowed the Blues to build their lead quickly, and Tonny found itself in complete control at the main break, ahead 24-9.

Goals flowed a little more freely for the Eagles in the second half, particularly in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to match the Blues, who advanced to the next round in comfort.

Under-13s

Saturday saw Tongala wrap up its under-13s campaign with a loss to Nathalia.

The Blues held a first-quarter lead against the Purples but were overrun late in the first half, going down 18-25 at the final siren.