The A-grade ladder leader was pushed to the limit at Rumbalara Recreation Reserve, eventually prevailing 50-48 to improve it’s imposing record to 15 wins from 16 matches.
It was far from straightforward for the Purples, with Rumba producing an inspired third quarter to threaten an upset in round 18.
The visitors made the stronger start and held a 16-11 advantage at quarter-time, before Rumbalara began eating into the deficit.
Rumba cut the margin to two by the main break, trailing 26-24, before completely turning the contest on its head during the third term.
Led in the circle by Desmond Morgan and Ellie Morgan, the home side piled on 15 goals to eight for the quarter to take a 39-34 advantage into the final change.
That left Nathalia staring at only its second defeat of the campaign, but the ladder leader responded when it mattered most.
The Purps erased the five-goal deficit during a pulsating final term, with Stephanie Gorrie and Georgia Walpole combining to drag their side back into the contest.
Rumba still led 47-45 late in proceedings, but Nathalia produced the decisive surge.
Walpole struck three consecutive goals to turn the two-goal deficit into a 48-47 lead, before another from the goal shooter and a Gorrie conversion moved Nathalia to 50.
Desmond Morgan pulled one back with the final goal, but it was not enough as Nathalia escaped with a 50-48 victory.
Speaking following one of the games of the season, Purps star Laura Cole was pleased with the performance.
“It was a really close game, we started off really well in the first quarter,” she said.
“We hit a bit of a slump in the second and third, we knew it would take a lot in the last quarter to come back from five goals down.
“It was a really good team effort, we all knew how much wanted to win after a tight game against Rumbalara last time we played them.
“We just never gave up really - we all came together when we needed to - and we were super rapt with that.
“We had a few injuries and a few things that didn’t pan out for us but we were able to put all that aside - so it was a team effort in the end and we were really proud of that,” she added.
The result leaves Nathalia four points clear at the top with a 15-1 record, while Rumbalara sits fifth at 10-5 with one draw.
Elsewhere, Numurkah produced an emphatic 66-24 victory over winless Congupna, while Tongala continued its strong run of form by edging Mulwala 59-55.
Moama strengthened its position inside the top four with a 41-19 win over Cobram, while Echuca United secured a 58-34 triumph against Finley and Deniliquin had the bye.
Next week, the Purples travel to Moama, while Rumba hit the road for a clash with Numurkah.
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