The host made a solid start, racing out to a 12-4 lead after 11 minutes, which resulted in a decent 15-8 buffer at the first interval.
An unanswered seven-goal burst between the 23rd and 26th minutes boosted Tongala’s lead into the teens as it posted a strong attacking period in the second quarter, scoring 22 times.
Leading 37-17 at half-time, Abby Pettifer’s side didn’t rest on its laurels to start the second half, opening the third quarter by netting 13 of 16 goals, with Numurkah held to five in the period, its lowest output of the day.
Tongala led 53-22 heading into the final period with its four points wrapped up, but still closed strongly, winning all four quarters by outscoring Numurkah 17-9 across the last 15 minutes.
The 70-31 win moved Tonny above Moama and into third on the ladder on percentage, the two sides level on 36 points, with the Magpies still holding a game in hand.
“Obviously, all teams are progressing throughout the season, so sometimes you do come up against those teams that are pushing for finals like Numurkah and they're always a tough one to come up against,” she said.
“I found it really positive that my girls, they've obviously developed as well during the season.
“It's hard when you have a team full of champions to make sure that everyone's connecting and working together, and on the weekend they just looked effortless on the court.”
Tongala is now 14 points clear of seventh-placed Numurkah, with its place in the post-season now all but confirmed.
After consecutive home matches, Pettifer’s team is back on the road to take on Echuca United in round 15.
The Blues’ boss has spent much of the year finding the best fit for her talented squad, but believes her side’s versatility is an important asset it can leverage to reach the next level.
“(We've) got so many top-tier players, but if you don't get the right combinations against different teams it can just fall apart in a way,” Pettifer said.
“I think that trust is building between players when they're playing in those different positions, but also in me for them to see that I'm making these positional changes for our best chances of winning.”
The top two looks to be out of reach, with Mulwala and Nathalia three wins clear, but an important game on the horizon will be against Mulwala on August 8.
Tongala lost its recent meeting with the Lions by only six goals, but brought a weakened line-up into the game.
“I do think we actually could have beaten them that round, but we didn't have Chicky (Vick), Grace (Hammond) or Halle (Gray), so I actually didn't have that many positional changes that I could make,” Pettifer said.
“I think bringing (them) into the mix will make a massive difference.
“I'm looking forward to that game for the girls to get a little bit of friendly revenge, get a bit of fire in their belly to get a win over Mulwala, but they're a top side, so it's always going to be tough.”
10°C