The Tigers, who trailed at every break, found another gear in the final term, but were unable to run over the top of the Blues, going down 15.4 (94) to 14.12 (96), adding another twist to what has been a rollercoaster start to the season for the reigning premier.
Heading into the clash at Scott Oval on Saturday flying high off the back of a 146-point thumping of Moama in round six, the Tigers were slow out of the blocks, giving up three of the first four goals of the contest, but eventually drew level again, only for Tongala to kick away with the final two goals of the first quarter.
It left Cobram trailing by 14 points at the first break, and the gap only widened from there, as the Blues enjoyed a three-goal-to-two second term, leaving the Tigers staring down a 23-point deficit at the half, behind 5.3 (33) to Tongala’s 8.8 (56).
Cobram lifted the intensity as the two sides emerged from the rooms for the third term, kicking the first two goals of the second half to draw within single digits, and while the Blues hit back to reinstate their half-time lead with the next two majors, it was the Tigers that finished the third term with a flurry.
Three of the final four goals for the quarter went the way of Cobram, who suddenly found a bit of momentum, cutting Tongala’s advantage to just 13 points at the final break, although they would still have to overcome a 10.3 (63) to 11.10 (76) deficit to win.
The Tigers would get as close as eight points midway through the term, but the Blues found consecutive goals to push the lead back out to 20 points with less than 10 minutes left in the contest, and it looked all but over at that point.
But the reigning premier refused to go quietly, booting three majors in a six-minute burst to roar back to life, closing to just two points behind the Blues. However it proved too little, too late, as the Tigers ran out of time, the siren sounding to hand Tongala a thrilling victory.
Tyron Baden was named Cobram’s best in the loss, booting four goals, while Luca Allen bagged five in an equally good performance.
Perry Lewis-Smith continued his good form to start the season, while both Jack and Harry Beasley, as well as Jackson Trengove (two goals), rounded out the best.
The loss leaves Cobram with a 4-3 record, good enough to sit third with a healthy percentage above 167, however both Tongala and Nathalia in fourth and fifth respectively, also have four wins and a game in hand, with the Tigers yet to have the bye.
Cobram will enjoy the week off this weekend though, and could drop to as low as sixth by the end of the round if each of Tongala, Nathalia and Mulwala secure wins.
Elsewhere in round seven, Congupna continued its unbeaten start to the year with a 13.13 (91) to 9.5 (59) victory over second-placed Numurkah, while Mulwala dished out a 19.10 (124) to 7.12 (54) defeat to Echuca United.
Finley proved far too good for Rumbalara with a 25.10 (16) to 5.12 (42) victory, securing its first win of the season, while Moama claimed its second win with a hard-fought 8.11 (59) to 7.6 (48) win over Deniliquin.
Netball
In the A-grade netball competition, Cobram suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Tongala, going down 27-65 at Scott Oval.
The loss sees the Tigers head into the bye with a 2-5 record and sitting in eighth spot, two games behind Numurkah, who occupy sixth.
Elsewhere, Nathalia has temporarily lost its hold on top spot, having the bye at the weekend, as Mulwala’s 70-31 defeat of Echuca United improves the Lions to 6-1 with a superior percentage to the 6-0 Purples.
Rumbalara’s charge continued with a 63-23 win over Finley, while Moama proved too good for Deniliquin with a 45-34 win, and Numurkah outmuscled Congupna 61-37.
