Moama capped off a remarkable undefeated season to claim a second consecutive Murray League under-17 netball premiership.
Heading into the grand final against the Deniliquin Rams, the Pies were wary that an upset was possible.
They did all they could in the opening minutes to ensure that wouldn’t occur.
From the outset Moama was the superior side, piling on goal after goal to race out to a 13-0 lead.
The Rams eventually scored their first of the game, but the quarter-time break saw them down 15-4 and already on the back foot.
Slowly but surely, in the second term Deni began to pull the margin back in, levelling the contest in the midcourt and fighting to put some scoreboard pressure on Moama.
At 17-11, it felt as though a real charge was coming from Deniliquin, but the class of the Magpies lifted them again to be up 22-13 at the half.
The Rams looked to have run out of puff during the third quarter, as Moama extended the margin to 15 at one point, but a late flurry ended the term at 32-21 to the Pies.
In stark contrast to last season, which saw it cling to a one-goal triumph in extra time, Moama was able to savour the final minutes of its victory this season, running out the winner in a 47-32 rout to claim back-to-back flags.
“It was such an honour to be one of the final two Deni Rams teams left in the competition,” Deni’s under-17s leadership team said.
“Grand final berths don’t come around too often, and that’s what makes them so special.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t our day, however the team will be better for the experience.
“We knew going in that we would need to play out of skin to compete with Moama.
“They have been the benchmark all season and they provide why on the big stage.
“Our first quarter was a little shaky. We pulled it together in the last three quarters, but just couldn’t peg back the first quarter deficit.
“The whole team fought hard and stayed positive for the entire game.
“They can be proud of their achievements this season. All credit to Moama. They were amazing.”
The overriding emotion at the final whistle was one of relief for coach Kristi Larkin, with the premiership dream realised in unbeaten fashion.
“I’m just relieved,” she said.
“The girls, as I said, worked hard all year from January 29 and they deserve it.
“They’re fit, it was hot, but Deni were awesome and just brought it all to us and really pushed us; they’re amazing.”
Larkin expressed pride for the way her players handled the second-quarter challenge Deniliquin mounted, staying calm under pressure to deliver the result.
“Deni just gave it all to us,” she said.
“We just stuck to trying not to panic and stuck to the structures that we knew we had practiced and tried to stay calm.”
~ with Alexander Dabb