Rumbalara's Jessie Barnes-Hill lines up a shot while Nathalia defenders try to unsettle.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Flawless, furious and frankly fantastic.
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That’s what Rumbalara has been for two years straight, and in Saturday’s final Murray Netball League home and away season match, Jess Bamblett’s side was every bit ruthless as it’s been for the past 38 games unbeaten.
Facing Nathalia, Rumba did more than win – they righted a wrong.
At home against the Purples, the reigning premier closed out a perfect campaign, beating second-placed Nathalia 47-35 to exorcise the ghost of last season’s clerical blunder that denied them a perfect record.
This time, there’s no dispute: 18 wins, zero losses, stamped in ink.
Rumbalara's Tiarna Steel waits for the umpire's whistle to restart play.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Nathalia's Tegan Sutton and Ashlee Cann sandwich Rumbalara's Sophie Atkinson.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Rumbalara's Emily Williams speeds down the wing.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Rumbalara's Jessica Bamblett jostles with Nathalia's Helen Williams.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Rumbalara's Yilanii Atkinson looks to pick out a teammate.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Rumbalara's Sarah Thorpe gets the eyes up to look for a runner.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Rumbalara's Emily Williams holds the ball aloft.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The opening quarter told the story.
Rumbalara’s pressure was suffocating and conversion transition slick, and a 12-5 start left Nathalia gasping.
By half-time, the margin had stretched to 25-18 and by three-quarter time it had only extended to 35-26, as Jessie Barnes-Hill looked to create havoc for seasoned Purples’ defenders Tegan Sutton and Ashlee Cann.
At the other end, Bamblett looked to rein in Helen Williams; and there was never a wobble, never a sense that the league leaders might blink.
With Rumbalara going on to close out a 12-goal win over its nearest challenger, Bamblett’s charges showed they’re still a step ahead, maybe more, heading into finals.
Meanwhile, Numurkah’s hopes of an outside break into the top six were dashed by Moama.
The Blues, needing a win to clutch the remaining finals spot, led the Magpies 12-11 at quarter time but surrendered the advantage to trail by two at the half.
Moama extended its buffer to five by three quarter time, and though Numurkah fought back hard, a 44-41 loss sealed the Blues’ fate in agonising fashion.
Taking Numurkah’s place in the six is Deniliquin, which toppled Echuca United in another nail-biting match.
The Rams were never more than a few goals ahead of the Eagles but did enough to scrounge a 43-38 result and ensure their season stays alive for at least another week.
Elsewhere, Cobram overturned an eight goal half time deficit to beat Congupna 33-32 while Mulwala shored up third place with a 56-43 triumph over fellow finals-bound opposition Tongala.
Finally, Finley bested Barooga by 20 goals to overtake the Hawks and leave them on the bottom of the ladder.
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