Tongala took another big step to a top-two Murray Netball League finish with victory over rival contender Mulwala at the weekend.
The Blues moved a game clear of the Lions in second place with an emphatic win out at Lonsdale Reserve, confirming a 14-goal win over the high-flying Mulwala.
The 51-37 result, Tongala’s 10th triumph of the season, also snapped a six-game Lions winning streak, with the Blues handing Mulwala their first defeat since round four.
Meg Brennan and Corey Drennan were pivotal in the round-12 victory, Tongala’s second in a row since a narrow loss to the undefeated Deniliquin.
The Blues will face Finley (2-9) in round 13 as the run to finals takes shape, with the coveted double chance presently held by Tongala and Deniliquin.
Meanwhile, the race for the remaining finals spots is beginning to heat up.
Third to sixth all sit tied on 28 points with Rumbalara (fourth) and Moama (fifth) both walking away with percentage-boosting wins in round 12.
Echuca United sits in sixth, pushing the undefeated Rams in a tight contest.
The side gunning for those three clubs is Congupna, who are a game behind in seventh place.
A gulf has opened up from that position, with clubs two games behind the pace of The Road.