While they're still searching for their first win, the Cowra Blues women are holding their heads up after a close contest with the Orange Tigers.
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Headlining a double header at Mulyan Oval on Saturday afternoon, Cowra managed to not only put points on the board but a strong defensive effort kept Orange to a two-goal lead throughout the match.
In the end, Orange edged out a 4.5.29 to 2.1.13 victory over the home side off the back of three goals to Emma Clark.
The game marked Orange's first win of the season and captain Jemma Neuman said she was proud of how well her side bounced back after a tough loss to the Bushrangers last week.
"We were keen to come out here and show what we've been working on in training," she said.
"We love playing in Cowra and credit to them, Sarah and the girls, they put on a really good game, I'm just stoked to come away with the win."
Neuman said the side had worked on communication and defence and it showed in their performance.
"We've been working really hard on using our voice much more, communicating well on the field as well as our defence, putting on our shepherds and getting our head over the ball," she said.
"Everybody was a standout. The usual characters, Erin Naden always running the ball hard, Jacqui [Harris] playing out in defence and particularly a shout out to all the new girls who are just picking up the sport so quickly."
Cowra Blues vice captain Megan Mackenzie said it was a "vast improvement" on the side's 64-point loss in round one.
"We really fought it out this week," she said.
"Hopefully when we face up against them next time, we can walk away with it."
Mackenzie said the side's new recruits have showed plenty of enthusiasm, particularly praising the efforts of Claire Wright in the middle.
"It's really helped having all the extra numbers," she said.
"A lot of the girls are only new to full contact sport and they just listen, learn from it, turn up for training and just put it all in there.
"Claire did a pretty stellar job, just getting shoved around, running around wherever she got put."
Ahead of a trip to Bathurst to take on the Giants next week, Mackenzie said strategy will be a focus at training.
"Communication and just some of the game knowledge now," she said.
"We can run, we can pass, kick... so now getting those game tactics so that we can be a bit more competitive against those teams that have been together a lot longer."
COWRA BLUES 2.1-13 (Jessika Burling, Stacey Ashe) defeated by ORANGE TIGERS 4.5-29 (Emma Clark 3, Lyndell Bassett)
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