After a thrilling two-point win against New Zealand Koru, Albury-Wodonga has had heavy defeats at the hands of South Australia Magpies, Victorian Bushrangers and Tasmania Devils.

Albury-Wodonga was again outplayed on the scoreboard yesterday, this time going down 92-27 to the NSW Kookaburras.

But for Albury-Wod-onga and its coach, Les Stevens, the scoreboard didn’t tell the full story.

“Look, it’s tough playing the NSW and the Vics and those strong teams because we’re competing against players who are vying for positions in the state squad for the nationals,” Stevens said.

“But our girls are trying hard and it’s great for their experience and future development. That’s what it’s all about.”

In yesterday’s first game of the day against the Kookaburras, Albury-Wodonga was always under the pump, but that didn’t stop the composite team from stealing the ball, outsmarting and showing up its highly skilled opponents on many occasions.

Albury Wodonga’s Brook Bice showed she was more than at home against the competition front-runners, going to the free-throw several times, while Olivia Gallaway had a solid game in defence.

Stevens said it was a challenge for his team to get itself up for every game with some tired bodies, but the girls had been going about it the right way.

“They just have to show up for each game in the right frame of mind,” he said. “When they do turn it on, they can match it with the other teams for periods.”