THE Dubbo Blue Jays have ended their losing streak in the women's Premier League Hockey (PLH), but are still without a much-craved win after drawing 2-2 with Zig Zag on Saturday.
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Zig Zag were the first to get on the board, with the hosts drawing level before the break. Dubbo pressured the visitors in the second half and had numerous opportunities, but the two sides couldn't be separated.
It was a disappointing result for the home side, who were hungry for a win after five rounds of losses, including two 6-0 defeats at the hands of Bathurst St Pats and Souths.
Defender Kate Corcoran said the Blue Jays' structure was "improving every week" and they had no shortage of opportunities, but failed to capitalise.
"We definitely had more shots on goal than Zig Zag so we just need to capitalise and put them in to hit the backboard now," Corcoran said.
"It was 1-all at half-time and we felt that we were actually playing better and we just thought be patient the goals will come.
"Maybe just a momentary lapse... where we let down our guard and they forcefully came through. They have some great players, young and fit."
By contrast, Corcoran said Zig Zag didn't have many chances on goal but converted when they did fight their way into the circle.
"When they got in the circle they wanted it and they actually came away with a result whereas we're still building on that," she said.
"Their running onto the ball and structure... Keely Hunter and Brittany King - they were a real force within the Zig Zag side, leading their team and always made an impact when they had the ball so we knew we needed to shut them down.
"I thought we did let them run maybe a little bit too much but we realised that was out weakness but then we stepped up. Their goalie stepped up and owned that circle so she did well."
The Blue Jays were without captain Emma Corcoran, who broke her nose last week, while Zoe Warwick was missing with a grade-one-muscle tear.
But a number of players really stepped up to fill the holes, Kate Corcoran said, most notably Courtney Hogan, Emily Lake, Prue Rutherford and Amy Davis.
"We had some really solid play and... I thought that Emily and Courtney held the centre, controlled that midfield and they released to our forwards which gave them lots of time and opportunity," Corcoran said.
"They created lots of space which was really good. As a rule Emma and Emily do that but Courtney and Emily came out on top of a 50-50 ball, they made it ours and Prue Rutherford held very strong in defence.
"She saved two goals on the line. She was very handy and very welcomed into the side yesterday. Amy Davis also stepped into the team yesterday and was always solid and fed the play.
"We definitely had more attacking this week, it was a very well structured game, lots of passing and just lots of strategic play. That all seemed to come together yesterday."
DUBBO BLUE JAYS 2 (E Lake, C Hogan) drew LITHGOW ZIG ZAG 2 (K Hunter, K Wilkins)