Moama’s Georgia Richards waits for a teammate to get open for a pass. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Moama failed to progress past the first week of the Murray Netball League finals series after falling to a nine-goal defeat to Rumbalara at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
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The Magpies stayed within striking distance throughout the opening period, the two sides largely trading goals as Rumba took a slender 14-11 advantage into the first interval.
Eesha Clarke leaps to catch the pass.
But that was as close as Moama would be for the rest of the fixture, as Rumbalara found another gear from the second period onwards.
Rumba scored three straight to open the quarter, pushing its lead to six, and another three-goal run closer to half-time had it suddenly up by double figures.
Rumbalara’s Jessica Bamblett stretches to contest Indiana Phillips’ shot.
Moama’s ability to respond was waning, and it was facing an uphill battle down 31-21 at the main break.
Needing a strong third to give themselves any chance, the Magpies would instead only see their hole dug deeper.
Desmond Morgan shoots over the outstretched Ava Richards.
Five straight baskets for Rumba midway through the period saw it push the advantage to a seemingly uncatchable 15 goals, and it took a 46-32 lead into the fourth.
But Moama had flirted with the league’s top two positions for much of the regular season, and had beaten Rumbalara once this year, meaning it was capable of a late push to reignite the contest.
Ava Richards and Desmond Morgan compete for the aerial ball.
That would come when Carri Carter’s side netted 13 of the first 17 goals in the final period, the Magpies suddenly right back in the contest as they only trailed 50-45.
But their surge would be a touch too late, with Rumba re-exercising its control to finish the contest off, scoring the final four goals and securing a 54-45 win.
Chelsea Wright looks up the court for a teammate.
Indiana Phillips contributed 27 baskets in the defeat, a solid return as Moama exited finals at the elimination stage for the second successive year.
It’s also the second time in three seasons that Rumbalara ended the Magpies’ premiership hopes, having won the 2024 grand final contested between the two teams.
Indiana Phillips with her eye on the ball.
Moama will perhaps look back on its campaign as what could have been.
At one point it had a 9-2 record after a seven-game mid-season winning streak, and seemingly was an outside chance for a top two position.
Holly Swatton catches the ball in the goal circle.
Instead, Carter’s side closed its regular season by winning only three of its last seven, which placed the Magpies into a challenging do-or-die clash against the reigning premier with no double chance.
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