CAVENDISH has cemented themselves as serious premiership contenders after a win against second-placed Dartmoor on Saturday, 49-43.

With both sides missing key players for the match, it was a tight tussle throughout the 60 minutes with the Bloods closing out the game in the final quarter.

Cavendish went into the game without dominant shooter Marni Luhrs with Carly Behncke standing up under the post for the past two games.

Cavendish coach Leanne Perry said it was great to see her side step up after a close contest with Branxholme-Wallacedale the week prior.

“We were pretty disappointed with our game against Branxholme-Wallacedale and were a bit frustrated after that,” she said.

“Slow starts have really hurt us and that was the case when we first played Dartmoor so to get out there and have a really good start was great.

“I was always positive things would come together with such a new team, but it had taken a while, so it was nice to see it come together on Saturday.”

The Giants went into the game without regular defenders Charlotte Rice and shooter Marlee Gartlan with some fresh faces making up for the absences.

Perry said her side had been building on combinations to combat their opposition which was highlighted during the game.

“Keely (Price) and Erin (Kinnealy) have been combining well in defence and the way they play is really improving,” she said.

“Elisa (Haw) also ran through the centre, and she had one of her best games, she really controlled the midcourt.

“Lauren (Cameron) also plays in goals when Marni isn’t there and she was good this week, her and Carly really slow the ball down and work through it and that worked on Saturday.”

The Bloods and Giants both sit on the same points in third and second spot with percentage the only thing separating the sides.

Coleraine beat Roos to take fourth

Coleraine had an impressive performance on Saturday defeating Westerns, 54-38, to move into fourth place on the ladder.

The Maroons gave a solid performance in Heywood with their defensive end applying some hard pressure to win ball back in Westerns attacking third.

The Roos pushed to gain some ball through the midcourt but couldn’t close the gap Coleraine had created.

Maddison Kaine and Holly Langley combined well through the midcourt and into goals for Coleraine while youngster Sienna Stone was solid for Westerns.

Darras defeat Saints

Tyrendarra had a strong win against Branxholme-Wallacedale on Saturday, 73-25.

It was a consistent scoring effort from the Darras despite some loose balls in the fourth quarter, with the Saints continually working with strong post presence Crystal Tonissen.

The Darras worked with a different shooting line up in the absence of Eliza Alexander with Hannah Van Gemst and Taya Roberts combining well in attack.