Bushrangers challenge, but fall short in Dragons loss

Latoya Holdsworth finally broke through for the Bushies’ first of the afternoon early in the second term before book ending the Dragons’ replying goal with her second on the stroke of half-time, leaving the home side only eight points arrears.

But it was after half-time that Sandringham took the game away, racing away with an 11.10 (76) to 3.10 (28) triumph on the back of a seven-goal-to-one second half.

Nathalia’s Claudia Plattfuss slotted back into the ruck for her first Bushrangers game of the season and was promptly named in the best alongside Shepparton United’s Lana Carroll, who has impressed in recent weeks despite some tough results.

But it was scoreboard aside for Bushies coach Tyson Saunders who gave his side a tick for its endeavour.

“We always knew success for us on Sunday was going to be something we wanted to create for ourselves internally,” Saunders said.

“We weren’t focused on what the scoreboard was going to look like at the end of the day.

“I think the girls have been fantastic in being able to identify those things and being able to execute.

“Obviously, we gave ourselves plenty of opportunities and probably just needed to reward ourselves in front of goal a little bit more.

“The things the scoreboard didn’t reflect were the things we were most pleased with on the weekend.”

The Bushrangers are still within one game of the top eight, sitting 12th behind the Dragons.

They have a round seven bye before hosting Northern Territory on Sunday, June 1 at La Trobe University.

Meanwhile, the venue for the Bushrangers boys round eight clash has been confirmed.

Mark Brown’s squad heads to North Hobart Oval this Sunday to tackle Tasmania in their first hit-out since May 4.