The North East champion was unable to claim the trophy double it was after on Saturday, with a 26-point final term from Mount Gambier stopping an energy-sapped Lady Wolves outfit which managed just four points in a final-quarter fade-out.

However, the Wolves, who fell 74-47, had been more than competitive up until that point, trailing by just five points at the final change after holding a one-point first-quarter lead.

Wolves coach Mark De Koeyer said there was little doubt the Lady Wolves’ 10-hour road trip had an influence on their final quarter capitulation.

“We lost it in the last,” De Koeyer said.

“We just ran out of puff.

“The trip took its toll.

“They had a squad of 10, we only had eight, so it was always going to be a big ask.”

Playing at the “Ice House”, the Lady Wolves’ task got even tougher when both Alex Trezise and Tenille Collins fouled out of the contest, leaving De Koeyer with just one active player on the bench in the last quarter.

“Stacey De Koeyer was on four fouls as well,” he said.

“It took us 10 hours to get there, the final we won last year was at home, so it definitely had an impact.

“So much for it being the “Ice House” as well, it was really warm.

“It was something like 34 degrees in there.”

Although disappointed, De Koeyer was still proud of the Lady Wolves’ season.

“We worked hard all season,” he said.

“Although we’re disappointed, we won the regional title, which we are more than happy with.”

Holly Bawden top-scored with 13 points, with Rachel Jeffrey (nine points) and Stacey De Koeyer (eight points) also chipping in.