Defence was key to the Gunnedah Bulldogs LeagueTag side’s 22-20 win against Oxley Diggers on Sunday.

Taking on the strong Diggers outfit, many who were part of last year’s premiership-winning Kootingal LeagueTag side, was an ominous undertaking for the local girls who missing a number of their own on the weekend including captain-coach Tania Ruttley. 

But true to form, the Bulldogs side dug in to grind out a well-earned, two-point win. 

It was just the second loss of the season for the second-placed Diggers, after a four-point loss last month to Group 4 competition leaders, North Tamworth.

“Defence won it for us,” Gunnedah team spokeswoman Lauren McCoy said.

“We’ve improved a lot in that area the last few weeks.

“Our attack probably needs a bit more work but defence is our best asset.”

Jess Baker was again an integral part of the Bulldogs success on the weekend and is up there with the best of the them in competition’s highest points scorer tally.

As the back half of the season draws to a close, McCoy added the team was finding the good form it needed at the right end of the year.

“We’re starting to feel more settled in our positions,” she said.

“We’re more comfortable.

“Everyone feels like they’re playing off one another a lot better.”

The Bulldogs LeagueTag side is third on the ladder on 14 points, four behind Oxley in second and further two off Norths in first.

Gunnedah takes the bye this weekend before backing up against Wee Waa the following week.