With plenty on the line for both sides, it was the visiting Blues who got off to a better start, with Tongala leading by six goals at half-time.
But a second-half turnaround saw the Pies swoop past the Blues to claim a crucial 52-45 victory, extending their winning streak to four games.
Saturday’s win not only keeps Moama’s unbeaten run alive, but it also hands the Pies their first victory over a fellow top-six side this season.
Magpies coach Lisa Drysdale said she was thrilled her side came away with the vital four points.
“We knew Tonny were going to be extremely strong, just to have that belief in each other, it was a very important win,” Drysdale said.
For Tongala, coach Paige Wade said she was pleased with her side’s game, despite the end result.
“Obviously we would have loved to win, but I was still happy with our performance,” Wade said.
“It’s definitely a game that had two momentum switches — the first half we played really well and the second half they got on top of us.
“The momentum started switching and we lost control of the game when we had the lead.”
Ward said she thought her side was strong defensively, but her players couldn’t quite maintain their efforts.
“Our defenders did really, really well in the first half. They provided plenty of opportunities and our goalers capitalised,” she said.
“In the second half Moama really picked up their game, our defenders didn’t quite maintain that same pressure the whole game, but I think Moama improved a lot in that second half.
“I think the team should be proud that they stuck with Moama. They played so well and started the game so well, we just need to maintain that for the whole four quarters.”
Ward said superstar goaler Amelia Brock was fantastic once again for Tongala.
“Milly was best on, she played really, really well,” Ward said.
“It was probably her best performance this year, she stood up, especially against some strong defence from Moama.”
Ward said Alyce Bower also had a great game for the Blues.
“She’s a young girl that we have brought up in the last couple of weeks, she has been picking up momentum every week and she played well in defence for us,” Ward said.
The result means the Magpies and Blues are both 4-2 a third of the way through the Murray League season, with Tongala narrowly ahead of Moama on the ladder by percentage.
Both teams will now enjoy a week off thanks to the split round, with Moama taking on Mulwala the week after while Tongala will face off against Finley.