Only three games were played, but two of those were genuine photo finishes as Congupna and Tongala stretched necks over the line to salute in absolute thrillers.
The Road hosted Deniliquin Rams, requiring nothing but four points to keep the faintest sniff of a finals hopes afloat.
By hook or crook, they got there.
Congupna trailed 12-10 at quarter time and the Rams managed to keep the two goal buffer intact at the half.
In the third quarter, however, the Roaders were able to swing the pendulum and bank a 33-31 advantage by three quarter time to set up an electric final period.
The game toed and froed but ultimately, cool heads prevailed for Congupna as the hosts gritted their teeth to wrench out a 44-43 victory and move within eight points of sixth spot.
While heart rates skyrocketed at Congupna, the same could be said at Moama Recreation Reserve.
Last season’s runner up welcomed Tongala to town, and in an almost identical result to Congupna’s, the Blues overturned an early deficit to run out narrow winners.
Moama stole an 11-9 lead at the quarter time but Tongala managed to flip it to hold the ascendancy by a goal at half time.
The Blues then powered ahead 34-32 at the final change of ends, meaning a 12-goal apiece last stanza lifted Tongala to a 46-44 victory and vaulted the Magpies in the process, skirting into fourth on the table.
In Saturday’s other contest, Nathalia was far too strong for Cobram with a resolute first half showing elevating the Purples to a 58-12 triumph away from home.
