The Tigers knocked off high-flying Numurkah by 11 points, while Barooga conquered Deniliquin by 13 points to earn back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Cobram led at every change, staving off a Numurkah comeback in the final quarter to triumph 8.6 (54) to 6.7 (43).
For the Tigers, the success over the Blues was the perfect way to kick off a stretch of important games against fellow finals contenders.
“It was an eight-point game for us. They were third on the ladder and we were fifth so it is certainly good to keep in touch with the top four,” Cobram coach John Brunskill said.
“Numurkah have been travelling along alright, so it is good to beat them.
“There are going to be a fair few sides around that three, four, five, six, seven, eight and nine mark. Some will scrape in [to finals] and some will scrape out, so to have this win is good.”
Having been on the wrong end of a couple of close encounters this season, Brunskill said it was good to see his side hang on against the Blues.
“We got out to a 20-point lead at one stage. In the last quarter, we were 11 points up going into it and then they kicked the first goal which got it down to five points,” he said.
“We rallied and played pretty good footy, it was good to hold on to one rather than getting run over. We have lost a few close ones recently.
“We wouldn’t have had a bad player anywhere on the ground, so it was pleasing to see that.
“Sam Beasley was really good, I thought. Luca Allen, Ryan Mele, those blokes really stood up.”
Cobram has now jumped into fourth on the ladder thanks to its win and Moama’s shock loss to Finley, which saw the Magpies kick a dismal 3.18.
Barooga also climbed up the ladder after a testing win away at Deniliquin.
Conditions were tough, but the Hawks were able to outlast the Rams to prevail 9.10 (64) to 7.9 (51).
A late withdrawal saw Barooga coach Luke Jarjoura pull on the boots for his first senior game in eight years, but he showed no signs of rust as he booted a game-high four goals.
“It was a dour win in really trying conditions against a side that we haven’t had a good record against over a long period of time,” Jarjoura said.
“I spoke to some of our veterans after the game and they said that was only the second time they have won at Deni.
“It has notoriously been a graveyard for opposition teams over the years. For us to go over there down on troops and have me get pulled out of retirement just before the game, it is pleasing.”
“It shows the maturity of the group now to be able to win and win ugly in trying circumstances.”
The Hawks now have consecutive wins over two teams they are battling with to reach the finals in Echuca United and the Rams, but Saturday was also a key result in another regard.
“It is our first win away from home,” Jarjoura said.
“We have turned Barooga into a fortress, but to go over there to a ground that has notoriously been a graveyard for opposition teams and come away with four points when we didn’t play well is pleasing.
“In years gone by Barooga would have lost that game, so it just goes to show you the commitment of the group and the resilience to stick at it for four quarters when our structures weren’t there.”
Jarjoura said he enjoyed taking to the field alongside the players he coaches, but admitted he won’t be in a hurry to do it again any time soon.
“I’m done mate, I am still unable to walk,” he said with a laugh.
“It was an enjoyable experience to be able to share a win with the boys from a playing perspective, they are just a pleasure to coach every week and I am excited to see where we can go as a group.”
Barooga is in eighth spot on the ladder, but the Hawks are just four points behind Cobram in fourth.
In the A-grade netball, Cobram fell to Numurkah 47-32 while Barooga was defeated by Deniliquin 57-13.
