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Gallery | Rumbalara keeps on winning, Finley survives Congupna fright in round 15 of Murray Netball League
Another week, another rolling victory by Rumbalara.
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Fifteen rounds into the Murray Netball League season and ladder-leader Rumbalara is yet to drop a match.
The Shepparton-based side breezed past opponent Echuca United on Saturday afternoon at Mercury Drive, Shepparton.
Rumba got off to a blistering start, scoring 32-14 in the first half.
From there, Rumbalara never looked back against the 10th-placed Eagles.
The score finished 68-33 in Rumba’s favour.
Co-captain Sophie Atkinson was dominant all day for Rumba alongside her fellow co-captain Jess Barnes-Hill.
The two leaders have stoically led this Rumbalara side in 2024, with the flag favourite’s closest victory being an eight-goal margin against Moama in round two.
The rest of Rumba’s victories have all been by 13 goals or more.
Rumbalara coach Jess Bamblett said she was proud of how her side’s next wave of players stepped up from B-grade to A-grade on Saturday, given that Rumba was missing a few key players due to injury.
“I’m confident (our B-grade players) can get on the court and play their role no matter what position they play,” Bamblett said.
“I think we will try new combinations where we can leading into finals.
“So if anyone does come out or we get thrown a spanner in the works, we can just change it up, flip the game on its head and switch our positions around.
“That’s what we will be focusing on in the next couple of weeks leading into finals.”
Despite finishing in third last season, Rumbalara was knocked out by Moama in the first week of finals last year.
This season, Bamblett said her side would be better equipped to perform at its best during finals.
“We all know that finals are a different ball game,” she said.
“Anything is possible.
“As long as we keep it level-headed and all of us on the same page, I think we should be okay.”
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Rumbalara's Tiarna Steel props and stops. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 11
Echuca United's Tanner Edwards searches for a teammate. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 11
Rumbalara's Emily Williams was busy for the home side. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 11
Rumbalara's Tiarna Steel works hard in defence. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 11
Echuca United's Abbey Stobaus has her eyes transfixed on the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 11
Rumbalara's Yilanii Atkinson gets ready to launch a left-armed rocket. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 11
Rumbalara's Medika Bonney looks to block her opponent. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 11
Rumbalara's Jessie Barnes-Hill goes for goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 11
Rumbalara's Jessie Barnes-Hill cheers on her teammates. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 11
Echuca United's Maddison McInnes was active in attack for the Eagles. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 11
Rumbalara's Natarsha Bamblett receives a pass. Photo by Megan FisherIn other round 15 matches, second-placed Moama defeated a defiant Mulwala at home.
The Magpies eventually won the match 48-41.
The loss all but ended the Lions’ hopes of making finals.
Nathalia has cruised to victory over rival Numurkah by 36 goals.
The Purples are sixth on the ladder with 10 wins, three ahead of seventh-placed Mulwala.
Ninth-placed Congupna has pushed hard for an upset victory over fourth-placed Finley, falling away in the final quarter to lose by 11 goals.
The Road trailed by two goals at the end of the third term and were close to defeating the Cats, with that potential result having further implications for other teams in the top six.
However, Finley showed its class during the last quarter and won 53-42.
Meanwhile, Deniliquin defeated Cobram by 26 goals away from home and Tongala beat Barooga (69-12) at home.
Cadet Sports Journalist