Blues prove quality, Eagles run Deni close

Tongala defeated Moama for the second time this season, cruising to a 23-goal win at Tongala Recreation Reserve.

An entertaining clash for the neutral seemed on the cards throughout the first period, as the two sides largely went goal for goal in the opening 15 minutes.

Tongala edged the opening quarter 14-10 and the Blues only improved after the first interval as they took control of the contest from then on.

Consecutive goals for Moama had it only down 21-15 after 25 minutes before the hosts closed the half strongly, netting seven of the last 10 to take a 28-18 lead into the main break.

The opening 10 minutes of the third period were much tighter as the sides went goal for goal before Tonny again closed better.

Abby Pettifer’s side scored six of the last seven to hold a commanding 39-25 entering the fourth quarter.

Tongala saved its best attacking output for the final period with 16 goals and secured the four points with a burst to start the quarter, scoring eight of the first nine goals.

Moama only mustered seven goals in the fourth term as it was largely shut out in the second half, which the Blues won 27-14.

That set up a comfortable 55-32 win for the hosts, who were powered by 33 goals from Milly Brock.

Meanwhile, Holly Swatton was largely responsible for Moama’s goal scoring, netting 23.

Moama (10-4) has lost two of its past three matches and now sits in fifth on the ladder, with Rumbalara displacing the Magpies in fourth.

Tongala (11-4) sits four points ahead of both in third, though Rumba and the Magpies each have a game in hand on the Blues.

Pettifer’s side travels to take on Deniliquin next, while Moama welcomes Finley to Moama Recreation Reserve.

Deniliquin v Echuca United

Echuca United couldn’t quite get the job done against Deniliquin at Hardinge St Oval, going down by three goals in a nail-biting encounter.

Huge momentum swings shaped the match, which the Rams won by being a fraction better in the second and fourth periods.

The hosts made a strong start, racing out to a 7-1 lead, before the Eagles struck back with seven of the next eight goals to tie the score at 8-8 after 11 minutes.

Deni held a 13-12 lead at the first interval and the nip and tuck nature of the contest continued to begin the second period, the two sides locked at 18-18 after 23 minutes.

The Rams then seized the initiative to close the first half, scoring seven straight goals between the 24th and 29th minutes to take a 25-21 lead into half-time.

The next momentum shift came towards the end of the third period, where Echuca United brought itself back into contention.

The Eagles trailed 37-29 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter before they wrestled control, scoring eight of the last nine goals to suddenly only trail 38-37 entering the fourth.

The first six minutes of the final period had Deni outscore Leesa Hooppell’s side 6-4.

Leading 44-41, a four-goal burst by the Rams then put them up 48-41 in the 54th minute.

But Echuca United kept coming, doing likewise over the next two minutes to reduce the margin to three goals again.

Four-goal runs were the theme of the fourth quarter, the Rams producing another one between the 56th and 58th minutes to effectively secure the four points, leading 52-45.

The Eagles scored the last four goals of the match, but it was too little, too late as they went down 52-49.

Eliza Pearce put in another solid display for the visitors, netting 38 goals.

Hooppell’s side can take confidence from its two meetings with Deni — a possible finals outfit — this season, as although the Eagles lost both matches, the combined margin of defeat was eight goals.

Ninth-placed Echuca United is out of the finals race, with the Eagles up against Numurkah in their next fixture.