Little could separate the Goldminers and Bears across the bulk of Saturday match at Goulburn until a fourth quarter blitz from the visitors got them a crucial win.

Goldminers struggled to get any rhythm in the opening quarter. When the team put on a quick run of baskets the Bears were always able to respond.

By the time the fourth quarter came around the Goldminers held a small 44-41 advantage.

Accurate shooting from the free throw line plus a crucial three point shot from Doble took the Goldminers out to a 60-49 advantage.

Goldminers co-coach Paul Masters said his limited squad may have been slow to get going but they were a force once they clicked.

“We only had seven players so that made it tough, and it makes it hard to look after fouls as well. Goulburn had 12 players, but the good thing was that we didn’t get into too much foul trouble,” he said.

“Laycee Covington was on four fouls at the start of the third quarter but she was able to avoid getting any more. 

“We were able to get the jump on them about two to three minutes into the final quarter. With our player numbers we had to conserve ourselves, but we still missed a lot of shots in that first quarter.

“We changed up our tactics a bit after that, and worked on getting the ball inside more.

“I thought Rachel Murray was superb. She probably had her best game for us this season and led from the front. Olivia Doble had just been playing CHS basketball in Goulburn on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and she played great too.”

The win makes it back-to-back success for the Goldminers over Goulburn after a 77-41 result earlier this season at Bathurst.