Held scoreless in one quarter and goalless in another, The Road still knew the route to winning.
The perennial Murray Football League contenders were made to work against Numurkah in their round 18 clash, yet still came up trumps at full time - albeit in much closer circumstances than hoped for.
Numurkah held Congupna scoreless in the opening term, but while peppering the goalface, the Blues found just a 17-point advantage for all their defensive brilliance, kicking 2.5.
Once Daniel Schaper hit the scoreboard, it all finally clicked into gear for Congupna, and it was The Road at its damaging best.
While Numurkah still tallied another seven score shots that yielded three goals, Congupna blasted seven majors to steal the lead at half time, 5.9 (39) to 7.2 (44).
After dominance in attack for a term, Congupna’s next strong term was defensively minded.
The Road’s scoring decreased in comparison to the second quarter, but 3.3 outscored one goal to Numurkah, marking a 20-point lead heading into the final term.
Congupna was on top, but the Blues still believed they were within a chance.
Pressure rose as either club competed at full tilt, only for behind after behind to be chalked up on the Numurkah Show Grounds scoreboard.
After five behinds to one in favour of The Road, the dam wall finally broke at the 16th minute.
It was Numurkah that had found the spark.
Blue Mason Reeves followed suit a couple minutes later to reduce the margin to 11 points and keep the sixth-placed outfit in the hunt of a Road closure.
Following a point, Clancy Lester kicked truly as the match entered red time, just one straight kick separated the Blues from victory.
As Numurkah fought for one last gasp, Congupna knuckled down and flooded the defensive fifty, its class and experience shining with the game on the line.
It was a heroic effort by Numurkah, but it came up short, 9.12 (66) to 10.10 (70).
Schaper kicked four to lead Congupna’s goalkicking, while Holmes’ two were the only multiple goals scored by a Numurkah individual, highlighting the full team effort to challenge the top premiership contender.
Despite the loss, Numurkah is safe in the top six with two rounds to go, while had Congupna lost, it still also would’ve been safe in pole position with a three and a half game lead ahead of second.
In a decisive top six clash, Mulwala trumped Tongala 14.9 (93) to 10.13 (73), while Finley claimed win number six over Echuca United, 12.14 (86) to 6.4 (40).
Moama and Rumbalara were on the gruelling side of thrashings in the weekend’s other results, the Mowers falling 2.2 (14) to 20.12 (132) to Cobram, while Rumba lost 7.13 (55) to 29.13 (187) to Nathalia.
Deniliquin had the bye in round 18.
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