Rumbalara has proved to the Murray Netball League pack that it is back in a big way.
The Mercury Drive tenant barged third-ranked Mulwala aside by three goals at the weekend, marking its seventh consecutive win after dropping three of its opening four games of the season.
Rumbalara’s output is equal to the sum of its parts, and that was never truer than during its inspired victory over a Lions side stuck in a temporary rut.
Victorious coach Jess Bamblett stated while it wasn’t a perfect display, the heart shown by her girls was more than admirable from start to finish throughout the 40-37 win.
“Our girls performed very well, it was three quarters of good netball,” Bamblett said.
“It was just the one thing we probably needed to work on ― the first quarter ― but I was very proud of the girls and the effort they put on the court.
“We didn’t start out of the box as we should have, we missed a couple of easy shots, but then we bounced back.
“I think we need to put a four-quarter effort in and, if we did, it probably would have been a higher scoring outcome.”
Bamblett cited inaccuracy as a hindrance during the opening exchange, allowing Mulwala to stay in the game at 11-11 when the quarter-time hooter sounded.
Natasha Atkinson-Brown then began to hit her mark in the second term to shoot Rumbalara out to a 24-18 buffer at the main break, but the lead was cut down to four heading into the final quarter.
Graduating from 15-and-under, youngster L’Val Turner starred out of position in wing attack, while the experience of Tiarna Steel was key in defence for Rumbarala.
Mulwala won the final quarter, but the pushback wouldn’t be enough as Rumbalara took the spoils to put distance between itself and Echuca United in sixth.
With a game in hand, a win for Bamblett’s side would elevate it as high as third on the ladder ― an exciting prospect for a side which had a line through it five rounds in.
“The defence held their own, the shooting end was pretty good and the mids did their job,” she said.
“Tash Atkinson-Brown played a real great game, but we also had young L’Val Turner from under-15s who started again in A-grade and held her own, and Tiarna Steel in defence (played well).
“Considering where we were at during the start of the season, we started off young, but recruited a couple of experienced players to help get to where we are at the moment.
“We’re very happy with how we’re heading, but our main focus is if we make finals, that’s when we probably need to switch on and go that extra step.”
Meanwhile, Congupna continued its charge towards a finals spot as it knocked over Nathalia by 17 goals.
The Road were held in good stead by Morgan Zotti, fresh from interleague duties, as she aided her contingent along to a 50-33 triumph.
Deniliquin remains unbeaten after belting Cobram 76-23, while Tongala holds second position following its 56-28 win over Finley.
Lastly, Moama outplayed Numurkah 52-39, while Tocumwal grabbed its first four points of the year, beating last-placed Barooga by 31 goals.