RUGBY LEAGUE
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BUNDANOON coach Brian Martin has praised his troops for a solid defensive effort on Sunday.
The Highlanders arguably caused the upset of the second division round with an 18-8 win over the Picton Magpies at Victoria Park.
It was only Picton's second loss of the Group 6 season.
Martin said it was a great effort for his team to win at Picton's home ground.
"I am very happy with the boys," he said.
"Picton is on top of the ladder so it was a fair achievement."
The Magpies scored the opening try but Bundanoon hit back to lead 10-4 at half time.
Martin said he was pleased with his team's performance in the opening 40 minutes.
"We only made two errors in the first half," he said.
The Highlanders extended that advantage to 14-4 before Picton scored its second try.
A late try secured by the visitors secured the 18-8 victory for Bundanoon.
Standout players included Bundanoon second rower Steve Hickey, lock Mitch Conquest, winger Max Hanrahan and halfback Geoffrey McKeown.
Martin said he was proud of his team's defensive performance, which included twice pinning its opponent in the back 20 metres of the ground.
He said Bundanoon also used the ball well in attack.
"We cut down our handling errors which was important.
"Our ball security was good."
However, Sunday's win came at a cost for the Highlanders.
Utility Cheyne Denning suffered a broken arm and is likely to spend an extended period of time on the sidelines.