ORANGE has come away from the Hockey NSW Women’s Masters Southern State Championships at Parkes with three titles.
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The Orange over 35s defeated Illawarra in the division one final 2-0, having managed to go through their campaign undefeated.
The Orange over 40s also won every game on their way to a commanding 5-0 win over Tumut and the Orange over 50s were crowned champions following an undefeated campaign and a 3-0 win over Illawarra in the decider.
Orange Women’s Masters vice president and over 35s player Jo McRae was ecstatic about the weekend.
“It was very tight. We were undefeated in our pool but there were a large number of draws,” McRae said of her over 35s outfit.
By virtue of finishing on top of their pool, Orange progressed through to the final of the over 35s championship following their nil-all draw in the semi-final against North Shore.
In a tough decider against Illawarra, Orange came out on top 2-0.
Jane Rowlands, member of the over 50s division one winning team, was similarly impressed with her side’s efforts throughout the championship.
She said going one better than last year’s second place was always the goal.
“Absolutely,” Rowlands said.
“We’re always looking forward to being part of it. We love it. And then to come out on top with the win, it’s the icing on the cake.”
The over 40s team was perhaps Orange’s most dominant, winning all five games of its campaign without conceding a goal.
Orange defeated Tumut (2-0), Illawarra (3-0), Wagga Wagga (1-0), Lithgow (6-0) in the semi-final before again accounting for Tumut, this time 5-0, in the final played on turf.
It was a dominant championship and an easy weekend for goal-keeper Gail Fuller.
“I felt sorry for her,” Orange coach Lorraine Corby laughed.
“She didn’t touch the ball.
“But all that means is everyone else was doing their job. It was a really great team effort. There was no coaching required.”
Orange also had teams in the over 35s division three and division five championships as well as well as an over 45s team and an over 55s competing in the over 50s competition.