Another action-packed round of Murray league finals is behind us with a swathe of local sides still in the hunt for titles.
Football
It was a tough weekend for Moama in football, with all three lower grade teams suffering defeat.
Under-14s
Moama will need to make the most of its second chance if it hopes to appear on grand final day, falling to Mulwala 4.10 (34) to 4.5 (29) in the second semi-final.
The Magpies led at times during the middle two quarters, but the Lions held slight advantages at every interval and now await the winner of Moama and Cobram.
Under-17s
The Mowers were downed by Cobram 9.11 (65) to 5.6 (36) and are set to take on Mulwala in the preliminary final.
Moama never recovered from a blistering Tigers first quarter, with Cobram leading by 25 at the first break.
The Magpies closed the gap to 12 by half-time, but Cobram restored a healthy advantage in the third and rode out the game to head to the decider.
Reserves
Moama’s season is over after the Magpies were defeated by Congupna in the first semi-final on Sunday.
The game was still in the balance early but a strong second period earned The Road a 22-point advantage at half-time
Netball
It was a strong performance from the local sides in the netball, with a raft of sides advancing to grand finals, while many more earned preliminary finals berths.
Under-13s
Moama will play at home in the grand final, booking its spot against Cobram in the second semi-final.
The Magpies were dominant from the start, a 20-4 first quarter lead effectively ending the Tigers’ hopes before they started. Moama eventually took the game 52-23.
Cobram will take on Nathalia in the preliminary final, after the Purples ousted Echuca United by a single goal on Sunday morning.
The Eagles held a two-goal half-time advantage but couldn’t maintain it as Nathalia sneaked away with the game at the death.
Under-15s
Moama is the first grand finalist in the under-15s, taking down Mulwala by three goals.
The first quarter proved decisive for the Magpies, who led 15-8 at the first break.
Although the Lions were able to tighten things in the final period, Moama’s lead was enough to secure a spot on the final day.
The Lions will meet Rumbalara in the preliminary final after Rumba knocked Tongala out of contention.
The Blues’ higher ladder position would have seen them enter as favourites but Rumba grabbed an early advantage, leading by four at quarter-time.
That margin remained more or less intact throughout the contest and Rumba prevailed by five goals, 34-29.
Under-17s
Moama also earned a grand final place in the under-17s, toppling Cobram 46-30.
The undefeated Magpies roll into a home grand final on September 21 and will be hot favourites against either the Tigers or Deniliquin Rams in the decider.
C-reserve
It will be a full podium for the locals in C-reserve after Echuca United eliminated Finley, 44-43.
The Eagles kept their season alive by a one-goal margin for the second week running and are now the final Echuca United hope across the entire Murray league.
They will play Moama next week in the preliminary final after the Magpies went down convincingly to Tongala, 29-40.
After a strong start for the Blues, Moama returned the game to parity at the half, setting up an enticing third period.
Tongala regained a four-point advantage by three-quarter time and closed out the game in style to log an eventual 11-goal win.
C-grade
Tongala is also the first grand finalist in C-grade, defeating Deniliquin Rams by 26 goals.
The undefeated Blues were never troubled throughout the game, establishing a double-digit lead by quarter-time and cruising to a 57-31 victory
B-grade
Moama and Tongala are both still alive in B-grade, with Tongala once again advancing to the grand final and Moama booking a preliminary final spot.
The Blues got by Deniliquin in overtime, the two sides locked at 52 after four quarters.
Tonny proved its quality in the extra periods, blitzing the Rams in the first half of the additional minutes and riding out the lead to win 68-60.
In the first semi-final, Moama took out Mulwala 50-43.
The Lions led at half-time, but a strong third quarter from the Magpies built a seven-point lead that they held until the final siren.