The Blacks went down 35-19 against the now second placed HVB but, according to team captain Carlee Parker, her side went into the game with the primary focus on regaining the team spirit.

“We look to go into every game really strong, but this week was all about getting the team spirit back and having a little bit of fun,” Parker said.

Parker said the side’s defence was their shining light after a lot of positional changes prior to the match.

“We’ve had both the Grayson sisters, Karlee and Kelly-Anne, out so we’ve had to switch around some players lately,” Parker said.

“But our defence of Gabrielle Saroff and Kylie Robinson was really impressive on Saturday.

“We’ve also been missing Charlotte Bull for two weeks with basketball commitments.

“She’s normally a shooter ,so we’ve had to bring someone up from mid-court to play goal attack.”

The young side played without reserves in their 16-points loss because of a horror run with injuries of late.

“We’re hoping to have eight players plus Karlee next week against Hills Solicitors, so at least then we’ll have two reserves rather than none,” Parker said.

In other round-nine games, Hills Solicitors smashed Hills United 56-15 and Velocity were gallant in defeat against top of the table The George Tavern, 53-15.

In the upset of the season, second-placed HVE Transport went down to previously winless Hunter River 40-32.

The win pulled Hunter River off the bottom the ladder leaving Hills United languishing in last place.

The first division table: The George Tavern 30, HVB 28, HVE Transport 27, Hills Solicitors 25, Velocity 24, Sexton Rugby Blacks 18, Hunter River 15 and Hills United 13.