The Blues started to take control of the Murray Netball League clash at Lonsdale Recreation Reserve when they finished the third period strongly, scoring six of the last seven goals to lead 43-41 heading into the fourth.
But the Lions returned serve immediately to open the fourth quarter, netting eight of the first 10 to re-establish the four-goal advantage they held at various points of the first half.
Tongala kept within touching distance right until the end, trailing 54-51 with a minute to play.
The Blues couldn’t find the extra gear required to pull off what would have been a big away win, Mulwala finishing Tongala off with the game’s final three goals to prevail 57-51.
Milly Brock put in another strong showing in the defeat, scoring 34 of the visitor’s 51 goals.
The clash was a thriller, particularly in the first half, with the two sides almost exactly trading goal for goal, setting up intrigue around their next match on August 8 at Tongala Recreation Reserve, and about the possibility of a meeting come finals time.
Despite the strong effort away to the second-placed Lions, the loss for Tongala means it has dropped two of its past three matches, and the Blues have been locked into fourth on the ladder for the past few weeks.
But Abby Pettifer’s team will be favoured for its next game, a home clash against a Cobram side that hasn’t won since round three.
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