The Highlanders have lost the last two matches in the final moments of the Southern Highlands Shield matches.

Bundanoon scored in the final 30 seconds of the match to take the score to 28-30 but failed to even the score with a conversion after the final buzzer. 

Bundanoon captain/coach Chris Conquest said it was a close match but it was disappointing to fall short. 

“There are some improvements that need to be made,” he said. 

“We need to improve our ball handling and defence and make some positional changes.”

Oran Park were first to score, Bundanoon replied shortly after and managed to hold on to the lead for a short while. 

“We got ahead by a couple of tries but they [Oran Park] fought back,” Conquest said. 

“We tried to even it up againat the end of the second half but we failed to do that.”

Conquest said Blake Conquest was the best performer for Bundanoon. 

The match was played at Bundanoon Oval and marked the first occasion the Highlanders had played a home game. 

A large crowd attended the Oval to support the Highlands team. 

“It was good to see such a big turnout,” Conquest said. 

“I probably hadn’t seen a crowd that big in the couple of years I’ve played with the club.

“Hopefully we can keep a crowd of that size up as the season progresses.”

Bundanoon will have the chance to impress their home crowd again on May 28.

The Highlanders will play the second placed Bargo Bunnies at 11.30am. 

Conquest said Bundanoon had a good shot at winning the match. 

“We should do well providing we hold onto the ball a bit better, ad improve on our defence,” he said. 

Bundanoon were placed in fourth position after round six.