Round nine of the Murray Netball League is in the books, with one side continuing its blistering first half of the 2024 season.
One question hanging on every team in the league’s lips this season is, can Rumbalara be beaten?
The Shepparton-based side has been an unstoppable force this year, winning all nine matches, including Saturday afternoon’s impressive 49-goal victory over Numurkah.
Rumbalara now sits two wins clear of its nearest competitors Moama, Finley and Tongala.
A-grade Rumbalara coach Jess Bamblett was pleased with her side’s performance on Saturday.
Bamblett said that after an impressive opening nine rounds, the team was using the old adage ‘taking it one week at a time’ to stop the players from getting ahead of themselves.
“We can only be better than (the performance) we put out there each week, so we have to be better the following week,” Bamblett said.
“Hopefully, that can keep us grounded and humble in our camp.
“Numurkah are better than what they were last year, but I think we thought it might have been a closer game, but they did play a consistent two or three quarters.
“Our girls were just too strong as we played four consistent quarters.”
In terms of who impressed for Rumba during its dominant win over the Blues, Bamblett said that she could not go past her two gun goal-scorers.
“You can’t go far from the shooters, Sophie Atkinson and Jess Barnes,” she said.
“The ‘Twin Towers’ in (our attack) is unstoppable.
“We had some of our juniors come through the ranks and Ellie Morgan played a really great game of wing attack, feeding the ball to Jess and Sophie.
“We had L’Val Turner also making her debut in A-grade and she played really well in wing defence.”
Rumbalara will be keen to continue its imposing form when it takes on fifth-placed Nathalia at home this weekend.
Congupna has been left disappointed after losing to Mulwala by 26 goals at home.
The Road (ninth place on the ladder) would have given themselves every chance to defeat the Lions (seventh place) at home on Saturday, but the visitors put on an impressive show, with the score finishing 26-52 in Mulwala’s favour.
The opponents don’t get any easier for Congupna this weekend, with The Road set to travel to take on fourth-placed Tongala in round 10.
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Mulwala's Bre Boyer defends Congupna's Lauren Good. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Congupna's Lauren Good goes for goal. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Congupna's Sarah Spillman gives a tactical signal. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Congupna's Taylah Durden is guarded by Mulwala's Jedda Nolan. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Congupna's Kate Boswell takes her shot. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Congupna's Rhylee Merkesteyn passes the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Mulwala's Sophia Shaw is defended well by Congupna's Morgan Zotti. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Congupna's Morgan Zotti looks for a teammate. Photo by Rechelle ZammitTongala took home the four points against Nathalia in an exciting contest.
The Purples fell short of Tongala, with the match finishing 43-48 in the Blues’ favour.
Finley has produced an impressive victory over Deniliquin at home.
The Cats won the game by seven goals, 55-48.
Barooga and Cobram have played in arguably the match of the round, with the Hawks claiming a one-goal win over the Tigers.
It was Barooga’s first win of the season, with the Hawks claiming the match 38-37.
Moama has defeated a spirited Echuca United side away from home by 18 goals.
The scoreline finished 35-53.