Goldminers travel to Wagga Wagga with a five game winning streak to their name, but the Blaze are also in great touch. They’ve won four of their last five.

In the 2016 regular season both teams claimed one against each other but when it mattered most the Wagga girls went clear to win the decider 74-66.

With this Sunday’s game pitting second against third it’s bound to be another great contest.

Of course a lot has changed since last year’s division one grand final between the clubs – most notably the lineups.

Goldminers co-coach Paul Masters said it will be a learning experience coming up against a new-look Blaze.

“They’ll have a very new team. They’ve lost a few players to uni and a few others who aren’t playing anymore,” he said.

“They’ve got a new coach as well. They’ve picked up a few experienced players who haven’t played for a while.

“One of the players they’ve got is Jordan Barrett, who is a former state player. Maddison Clyne is a Western Reds player from Leeton who has been very strong for them this year.”

With their levels of representation to their name it’s unsurprising to see Barrett and Clyne leading the way for the Blaze this year with 15 and 14.7 points per game respectively.

Clyne and Brooke Walsh will be the Blaze players to watch when it comes to outside shooting.

Bathurst also aren’t short on their scoring options.

Sophie Kleeman, who has passed 100 points for the season, is a constant threat from the three point line and Haylee Lepaio has been strong in the paint.

This year’s contest will take on a very different dynamic considering both teams have lost some of their leading scorers from the previous season.

Goldminers are without Teagan Burke for 2017 but the Blaze are missing the services of both Saadia Doyle and Prue Walsh. All three players were a part of last year’s division one All Stars side.

Masters and co-coach Kieran Purvis will be missing some players this Sunday, but will still take a sizeable squad to Wagga.

“We’re expecting a big game up there. Wagga and Bathurst always have good matches. The good thing for us though is that this time against them it won’t be the be all and end all,” Masters said.

“We’re taking at least 10 players at this stage. Bronte Emanuel is out with a sprain and Claire Woolmington will be out playing league tag.”

This match marks a tough two-game run for the Goldminers, who will take on competition leaders Shoalhaven Tigers following the Wagga clash.

In a stunning result the Tigers lost their first match of the season last weekend against the Goulburn Bears.

Goldminers play Wagga at 12pm this Sunday.