Beechworth’s senior footballers took care of business in trying conditions against the winless Dederang-Mount Beauty at Baarmutha Park last weekend.

The Bushrangers needed the win to buck a three-game losing streak which saw them lose their spot in the top five heading into the final stretch of the season.

In a tough slog, Dayne Carey was a class above with his bag of six goals, leading his side to the 17.15 (117) to 6.1 (37) result.

Carey was well supported by Hugh Kavanagh, Tristan Lenaz (two goals), Brenton Surrey, Liam McRostie (three goals) and Lukas Jakobsson.

It was an eye-opening debut for James Davidson and Aya Mcinerney who played out their first senior game in the Beechworth rain, as the Bombers brought the heat in a surprisingly high-scoring first quarter.

It was a much more dominant showing from the Bushrangers in the second quarter despite their inaccuracy.

They would kick away in the last kicking five goals while keeping the visiting Bombers scoreless to run away 80-point winners, jumping back into the top five with other results going their way.

Davidson was able to cap off his debut with a goal.

Beechworth will return to Baarmutha Park this weekend to host Wodonga Saints, and will be heavily favoured to hold onto their finals spot going into the final two weeks of the year.

The test will come for the Bushrangers in their final two games at Yackandandah and then home to Baranawartha, who are both also in the thick of the finals race.

On the court, Beechworth’s A grade gave the highly touted Bombers a mighty scare, going down 27-20.

Up by five at half time, the Bombers were relatively in control of the game before the Bushrangers ate into the lead to bring the margin back to four goals with one quarter remaining.

The finals-bound Bombers held their nerve and the lead to claim their eleventh win of the season, and even managed to jump into fourth position on the TDNA league ladder courtesy of Thurgoona’s loss to Chiltern.

The result was a big improvement from Beechworth’s first time playing the Bombers, when they went down by 17 goals in Mount Beauty.

Lainey Alexander was named best on court for the Bushrangers at goal shooter, converting seven goals in trying conditions for those under the ring.

Ruby McCormick and Aliza Robinson were both exceptional through the midcourt and put their Dederang-Mount Beauty opponents under ample pressure.

The Bushrangers will have a good chance to finish their season with three straight wins, starting with the winless Saints on Saturday.