Gallery | Rumbalara heaps the hurt on Purples in round 10 Murray Netball League action

By Liam Nash

Jun 16, 2024

Rumbalara’s Sarah Thorpe scans ahead for an option against Nathalia. Photo by Megan Fisher

Is there any side worthy of shunting Rumbalara, currently immovable in the Murray Netball League, off its perch?

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At the moment, the answer is no.

Nathalia passed through the gates at Mercury Drive on Saturday with hopes of dethroning the queens of the Murray.

But just like the nine teams had done beforehand, the Purples trudged off the court with no points to show in the wake of a 63-34 defeat.

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Nathalia’s Abbey Bell offloads a chest pass. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Rumbalara’s Tiarna Steel links up a teammate before getting on the move. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Rumbalara’s Yilanii Atkinson chases down a loose ball. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Nathalia’s Tegan Sutton stretches an arm out in attempt to block. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Rumbalara’s Sophie Atkinson weighs up her options. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Nathalia’s Breanne Walpole hones in on goal. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Rumbalara’s Jessie Barnes-Hill poises herself before shooting. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Rumbalara’s Nakiah Bamblett calls for some movement. Photo by Megan Fisher

Nathalia, charged with plenty of ex-Goulburn Valley League talent, was on the back foot early against a Jessie Barnes-Hill-led Rumba as the hosting outfit held a 17-8 lead at the first switch of ends.

The following quarter saw Rumbalara shoot the lights out as a 20-goal injection pushed the Purples further behind with a deficit of 20 to make up.

Nathalia’s 14 goals in the third term proved to be its best 15-minute period beneath the ring, yet Rumba kept the heat on with 12 of their own to make the last quarter a foregone conclusion.

As the hooter sounded, Jess Bamblett’s side retained its eight-point cushion at the summit despite a trio of premiership challengers each picking up wins.

Tongala, one of those teams, claimed a 58-33 victory over Congupna to keep pace with second-placed Moama and third-ranked Finley.

The Magpies had a day out on home court against Cobram, winning 75-28, while the Cats scored a 64-36 result over a spiralling Echuca United contingent.

Eagles coach Tanner Edwards deemed the result “a bit of a tough one”, paying credit to a strong Finley unit that has only dropped two games this season.

“Obviously we knew coming in Finley was a quality side,” she said.

“They've been able to knock over some of those higher teams up there as well, so we knew it was going to be a hard match coming in.

“(We had a) bit of a rough start (to) the game, that put us on the back foot coming into that second half.

“In saying that the girls were a lot better in that second half and we were able to convert on the scoreboard a little bit more, but unfortunately especially against quality sides we can't afford to have a slow start.”

In the round’s other matches, Deniliquin vaulted into fifth spot thanks to a 26-goal upending of Numurkah, while Mulwala easily accounted for Barooga 64-20.