If round 17 of the Murray Netball League taught us one thing, it’s that there’s a new prominent force in town.
This applies in a literal geographic sense as much as it does in a dominant sense, with Shepparton-based Rumbalara now certain to finish the regular season on top while keeping aspirations of a perfect campaign intact.
It took an enormous lift in the third term to secure the four points against a fierce challenger in second-placed Moama, but there was just too much firepower to contain from the Rumba girls.
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Rumbalara’s Sarah Thorpe sees double in her nearby passing options. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 10
Rumbalara’s Natarsha Bamblett is locked in as play gets set to start. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 10
Moama’s Lisa Drysdale was important early as a genuine contest unfolded. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 10
Rumbalara’s Yilanii Atkinson is already thinking about where to go next as she unloads the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 10
Moama’s Emily Taverna was in the thick of a hard-fought affair. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 10
Rumbalara’s Sophie Atkinson concedes territory in passing out of the arc. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 10
Rumbalara’s Emily Williams gives and goes quickly. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 10
Rumbalara coach Jessica Bamblett has had plenty of reasons to smile of late. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 10
Rumbalara’s Sarah Thorpe awaits the restart of play in the centre. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 10
Rumbalara’s Tiarna Steel gives out instructions in the midst of defending. Photo by Megan FisherIt started on nobody’s terms, truthfully, with the back-and-forth shots largely what observers at Rumbalara’s Mercury Drive courts would have come to expect from the league’s two most potent forces.
The Magpies held the most slender of advantages at the first change as questions would have naturally started to surface as to whether this would be the day the competition had been waiting for.
The Rumba contingent powered on through the second term, mildly flipping things around after taking a general foothold to maintain a 24-20 lead at the half.
The offence roared into an even higher gear during the third, ramming home 17 goals to make a concerted point of this side’s premiership credentials against a fellow contender and run the lead up to 11 at the final change.
All told, Rumbalara was able to run it out more comfortably than the first half-hour of netball might have suggested was on the cards, inflicting a third defeat of the year on Moama and wrapping up top spot courtesy of a 56-39 win.
Coach Jess Bamblett lauded her side’s ability to rally, but in spite of an unblemished ledger, encouraged humility and level-headedness with finals nearing.
“We’re pretty excited that we’re minor premiers, but it doesn’t stop there,” Bamblett said.
“We have our eyes on the bigger prize at a grand final and hopefully a premiership.
“You have to give it to Moama; they flew out of the blocks and really put the pressure on our defensive end, and our attackers weren’t really gelling as well as we usually do.
“I’m proud of our girls for lifting in the second and third quarters, but we have to be humble.
“We’re pretty confident, but we just have to stick to our plan and what we want to do and hopefully, that pays off.”
Having done the season double over Moama, Rumbalara also unknowingly bestowed a significant favour upon third-placed Finley.
The Cats still have something to aspire to after safeguarding themselves inside the top four with a strong 52-29 win over Cobram, now with an opportunity to at least finish level with the Magpies this week if results pan out in their favour.
News was far less favourable for Tongala, which crashed out of fourth following a 57-50 defeat to Deniliquin that brought both teams level at 44 points with a round to play.
Jumping up into the Blues’ place was Nathalia, which took full advantage of the opening by coasting past Mulwala 51-29 and continuing to apply pressure on Finley, sitting a game behind.
There was more local success as well with Congupna claiming its fourth win of the year after running over the top of bottom side Barooga 44-29, while Numurkah scraped past Echuca United by the barest of margins to savour a second victory of the 2024 campaign, holding out for a 34-33 win.