The women’s team were disappointed with their performance against top-of-the ladder Essendon Royals.

Essendon took only 15 minutes to get a score on the board, but this seemed to spur on Castlemaine with Edwina Reid and Sarah McCoombe lifting and starting to control the midfield.

Shots from Sidney Showell, Eve Merton and Bridget Woods all went high, wide or within reach of the keeper.

With Rachel West reading the play early and capably dispossessing the Royals forwards, the Goldfields girls had most of the play, but frustratingly could not find the net.

Essendon however were much more accurate and led 3-0 at half time.

Beginning with two on the bench, this was quickly reduced to the bare eleven with an injury to Kate Forrest and Ruby James’s departure after her spirited contribution.

Cate Parnell distributed the ball reliably in the centre and Rachel continued to defend strongly, while Ruby Huzzey carried the ball forward at every opportunity, even having a shot on goal.

Royals continued to dominate, denying Castlemaine a score and registering 4 more of their own for a 7-0 win. Goldfields now have a bye and time to regroup before confronting Surf Coast at home.