In a low-scoring yet captivating game of A grade netball, Bright have been unable to take home the points from their road trip to Tarrawingee last Saturday.

The visitors, who had to endure terrible weather conditions along with a match-hardened and in-form opponent, kept pace with the second-placed Bulldogs for more than three quarters, but lost their grip on the match that ended in a 23-32 defeat.

It was tough going from the outset as the 5-7 and 11-12 scores after each of the first two quarters suggested, but Bright brought their best defensive game in the opening half as the teams traded goals, which were like gold as the rain tumbled down.

As they trailed by three goals with a quarter to go, Bright made one last surge before the might of Tarrawingee on their home court proved to be too strong.

Coach Ash Grimes was forced to shuffle the magnets once again in the absence of star goaler Emily Nightingale, which forced reliable defender Amber Quirk to make the switch into attack to partner the emerging Hannah Witts.

Despite missing out on the four points, Grimes knows that she has plenty to work with in the run home to a probable finals berth.

“We were right in the game until three quarter time,” Grimes said.

“Our one-on-one defensive pressure down the court was a positive for us, which turned into Molly [Whitty] being able to get a lot of turnovers for us.”

“I think our attack started well, and we had some great patience against tough defenders, but I think in the last quarter we let the pressure get to us and played into their defence.”

Speaking on this Saturday’s season-defining clash against seventh-placed Moyhu, Grimes emphasised that Bright (sixth) is still well and truly on the right track, and can break the hearts and finals hopes of their travelling opponents with a win.

“There was a lot to learn and take from the game and every week is an opportunity to learn and grow,” she said.

“I think a bit of a revisit of our game plan, pinpointing what is working and what isn’t working from that and regrouping this week to put our best brand of netball out on the court again Moyhu.”

In senior football, Bright remain on top of the OKFNL ladder with three rounds to go after a comfortable 119-point wet-weather win over Tarrawingee.

The Mountain Men seemed to forget they were playing in the rain as they piled on nine goals in the opening term, which ended in a 19.21 (135) to 2.4 (16) result.

Cooper Thomason kicked seven goals in a best on ground effort, while in-form sidekicks Patrick Bren and Wayland Wales added two goals of their own.

Bright will play in front of their home fans for the last time this season against Moyhu this Saturday.