It wasn’t the results they were looking for, but the Dauphin Mavericks and Lady Mavericks have something to build on for the future.

The Lady Mavericks hosted the Winnipeg Brumbies, Saturday at Kin Field, losing 48-26, while the Mavericks dropped a 39-31 decision to the Winnipeg Wombats.

Chloe Fletcher led the way with two tries for the Lady Mavericks, while Natasha Gadde and Brooke Miner had one each. Megan Thompson converted three of the tries.

Codi Harrigan was coaching the team in the absence of coach Kent Miner and  pleased with the team’s play, noting they only played 10s due to a lack of players for the Lady Mavericks.

“We lost a couple and we ended up playing with eight at the end. Putting eight girls on the field versus such an experienced team like the Brumbies. They’ve got lots of really good players out there that have played nationally. Overseas internationally even,” he said.

“I’m super happy with how the girls played. They had to learn new positions today and fill in the gaps where they’re not used to.”

The team’s offence put tries on the board, a testament to the resilience of those on the pitch.

“We put up quite a bit of points. And it wasn’t that, that (the Brumbies) was the better team. They had more subs, so we just got gassed towards the end,” Harrigan said.

The game was close at halftime, but the Brumbies pulled away early in the second half.

“But we gave it back to them towards the end of the second half. Towards the end of the game we scored a couple on them,” Harrigan added.

There is still plenty for the team to work on as they prepare for their next match, Saturday in Winnipeg at the Challenger Cup.

The Lady Mavericks will play three games in succession, beginning at noon against the Brandon Barbarians, followed by a game against the Winnipeg Wasps at 12:45 p.m. and a final contest at 1:30 p.m. against the Sturgeon Creek Rowdies.

Daniel Evans topped the scoring charts for the Mavericks with two tries and two converts. Ronin Mouck had one try and a convert, while Jeff Zeiler and Owen Tyschinski had one try each.

Mavericks player-coach Shawn Sarkonak felt it was the closest to a full 80-minute game as the team has played this season.

“At times, you could tell that some experience, maybe lack of depth coming off the bench and then a little bit of cardio here and there, just some simple let downs, some missed tackles and they were able to capitalize,” he said.

“It was a great game back and forth. I’m really happy with the way we played.”

The Mavericks led 19-7 at halftime, but the Wombats scored a couple of tries early in the second half to take control of the game.

“I think everyone was giving it their all in the first half and I think we were a little flat footed coming out in the second half. That’s where, the cardio, it took a few guys to reset and get back into it,” Sarkonak said.

“Once we did, we started marching back. It was just back and forth.”

Playing such a close game, scoring 31 points will give the team confidence going forward as Sarkonak noted they Maverick moved the ball well.

“We ran it really well. I challenged the forwards right at the beginning of the game that let’s be dynamic. Let’s move the ball. Let’s not be static and one dimensional where it’s just one hit-ups,” he said.

“Let’s draw the guys in and make that pass and let’s make space for guys so we can get it out to our backs. And when we did, we did some pretty good things.”

The Mavericks are in Winnipeg, Saturday, to face the Wasps. Sarkonak said the team will have to focus on its cardio in preparation for that game.

“And I think it’s just reinforcing a team game, work off the positives with what we did good here today,” he said.

“And just back to basics with some tackling, just sticking it. And being a little more disciplined. I think we were a little offside. Just reiterating that.”