The Blues made a strong start against the league’s fifth-placed side, earning a narrow first-quarter advantage 11-8.
Tocumwal recovered in the second and by half-time had retaken the lead 22-18.
Again Picola was strong in the third, cutting one off the deficit to set up a grandstand finish, down 26-29.
The match was there for the taking, but Tocumwal was able to regroup and surge to victory 41-35.
The Blues still hold a two-win gap to nearest chaser Rennie, which closed the gap with a win over Mathoura.
Rennie v Mathoura
The Grasshoppers continued to pile the misery on the Timbercutters, running away with a 53-18 win.
Mathoura was a step off the pace throughout the contest, down 24-12 at half-time and Rennie only compounded the pressure from there in an even more clinical second half.
The Grasshoppers are motivated, needing an almost perfect run home to hope to make finals, while Mathoura is looking ahead to its meeting with the league’s other winless side, Blighty, on July 25.
Before that the Cutters host Barooga this Saturday.
