Sport

MNL round five wrap - Top teams flex collective muscle

By Tyler Maher

May 2, 2021

Murray Netball League premiership contenders are appearing everywhere you look this season.

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But despite the strength of the top six sides as a collective, it is the leading trio that continues to impress on the court.

Nathalia and Deniliquin remain undefeated, while Rumbalara's scoring power on its day is superb.

That is not to take anything away from Moama (fourth), Tongala (fifth) and Mulwala (sixth) - or any of the other A-grade outfits for that matter - but there are clear frontrunners to be chased down by the challengers.

The Purples moved the bibs around again in round-five action at the weekend, defeating Congupna 46-20.

Caitlin McLachlan played most of the match as a shooter with Tegan Sutton and Kirsty Hommes building the defensive wall, while Sophie Sidebottom, Morgan Zotti and Rhylee Merkesteyn stood out for The Road.

The Rams had a much tighter contest against Tongala, winning 63-58.

The high-scoring affair gave the Blues plenty of confidence, but Deniliquin managed what it almost always does in close games - four points.

“We've come a long way since round one,” Tongala coach Paige Wade told McPherson Media Group.

“We were a very new team coming up against probably the best one in the competition in Nathalia, so that was always going to be a tough contest.

“As we've gotten used to playing as a team we've shown a lot of improvement, and it showed again on Saturday with being in the game against Deniliquin all day.

“But at the end of the day we came to win, so losing in a close one is a disappointing result for us.

“We played some really good netball across the day, but when you don't get the outcome you've been searching for, there is always going to be some disappointment.”

Rumba blew out the scoreline against Mulwala in a 51-28 triumph, while Moama posted the highest total of the round in a 65-13 win over Cobram.

“It was great to see them play a game like that,” Moama coach Jodie Lake said.

“They stuck to their systems.

“Despite the heat they kept running and trying to play at their absolute best and that's what you want to see.

“Sometimes you can ease up your own pressure in a game like that where the opposition is struggling to get on the board, but I was really happy that we didn't.

“We used it as an opportunity to work through the systems and structures we have been working on in a game situation, which will be a big benefit to us as the season goes on.”

Finley is in seventh spot after a 48-38 win over Barooga and Echuca United had the bye.