By EMILY STEWART

THE Southern Region Cats women’s team put up a determined fight in their first home game of the season but were defeated by the Yass Roos, 33 (4.9) to 10 (1.4), in their round five clash on Saturday morning.

From the opening bounce, it was clear the teams were evenly matched, with Yass also in their inaugural year. The first half of the match was low scoring for both teams with Yass scoring the only goal of the half in the second quarter.

The Cats showed a strong defensive lineup, led by Anna Bakker and Erin Donnelly and also saw plenty of footy in offensive half, though struggled to convert several opportunities at goal.

The first goal of the game for the Cats came in the third quarter, kicked by Aussie Rules debutant Camilla Searle, with an impressive run from centre bounce.

Millie Drury, Alana Smith, Amy Morgan and Pip Goulding did a wealth of work across the field, contributing to both defense and offense, while Sarah Burns continued to dominate in ruck. Sarah Burns, Camilla Searle, Neve Sela, Alana Smith, Pip Golding and Erin Donnelly were best on field, and Taylor Moore, Jamaine Ansell and Tayla Wilson contributed to the score with behinds.

In the second game of the day the men had a tough match up against the undefeated Murrumbateman Eagles, who sit top of the community men’s division two ladder.

Locals Riley Kane, Marcus Rossetto, Will Taylor, Angus Strudwick-Wood and Preston Mitchell took to the field, alongside Jakob Asanovski, Will Saddler and Will Deane who grew up in the area.

The more established men’s team is mainly made up of players from Canberra and Queanbeyan and it was great to see a strong representation of players from the Monaro; a testament to the growing interest in the sport.

Despite stringing together some positive offensive plays in the first quarter, the Eagles proved too strong. Riley Kane, Jordan Lopes, Cameron Moore, Will Saddler, Marcus Rossetto and Will Deane were best on field for the game.

Goal scorers were Jordon Lopes and Cameron Moore with three. The Cats were defeated by Murrumbateman 88 (12.16) to 31 (4.7).

This week, the Southern Cats take on the ADFA Rams at RMC Oval. The women’s first centre bounce is at 10am followed by the men at 12pm.