The Parkes Women’s over 35s hockey team has finished runners-up in the state after a magnificent performance at last weekend’s NSW half-state (Southern) veterans hockey championships conducted in Parkes.

The team was placed in the top division and went down 2-1 to South Coast in the final.

The Parkes team was originally nominated in Division 2 after winning Division 3 last year in Wagga.

But due to a lack of nominations in Division 2, Parkes was bumped up into the prestigious Division 1.

The team, despite having many talented members, wasn’t expected to win many games at all, but the Parkes spirit and determination proved strong and the girls performed outstandingly, losing just one game over the weekend.

Their first game was against the strong Orange outfit.

As expected, it was quite even but Parkes emerged victorious 2-1, with former local, Deana Carr (Venables, now on the central coast), scoring both goals.

Game two was easily won by Parkes, beating Warringah 4-0, with Denise Gersbach, Deana Carr, Tracie Noakes and Fiona Lovett scoring.

Confidence was very high in the Parkes camp and the girls went into the next game against Lithgow with the realisation they could have a chance at the title.

Parkes then proceeded to thrash Lithgow 5-0 , with brilliant striker Deana Carr scoring all five goals.

Parkes was defeated in a tough match against South Coast 3-0 but lifted to a draw against Illawarra 1-1 (goal scorer was Wendy Huppatz) to gain a position in the Division 1 final against South Coast.

The final was a very close encounter, with South Coast scoring first, quickly followed by an equaliser by Wendy Huppatz.

With only minutes left on the clock before half time, South Coast scored again and the score remained 2-1 until full time.

It was a gallant display by all the team to perform so incredibly well in Division 1 and no doubt, they will be looking to go one better next year when they compete for the title in Bathurst.