Parkes is now home to two state champion teams following the weekend’s Women's Masters Southern State Hockey Championships.
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Parkes 1, the over 35s Division 1 side, has been named state champions for a third consecutive year, completing a hat-trick of state titles after defeating Newcastle 1-0 in an exciting final at the Parkes Hockey Complex on Sunday afternoon.
In a massive weekend of hockey, Parkes 1 played seven round games to finish equal first with Newcastle at the end of the round matches to earn themselves a berth in the final.
Their round results were: Parkes defeated Orange 1-0 (goal to Wendy Rix), defeated Sydney East 3-0 (Cherie Johnstone 2, Wendy Huppatz), lost to Illawarra South Coast 0-1, lost to Northern Beaches 2 0-1, drew with Newcastle 0-0, defeated Northern Beaches 1 2-0 (Johnstone 2), defeated Metro South West 1-0 (Johnstone)
“The Division 1 competition was extremely competitive with every game played like a grand final,” Parkes 1 player Denise Gersbach said.
Coach, Glenn Johnstone, was thrilled with his side's efforts.
“To win three consecutive state titles in the top division shows the calibre of women's masters players we have in Parkes,” he said.
“The girls were amazing all weekend and I am very proud to be associated with them.
“Every player gave their best all weekend with players battling on after many knocks and injuries throughout the eight matches.”
Making it a double glory for the town was Parkes 3, competing in the over 35s Division 4 competition.
The side was named joint champions with Goulburn 2 after a 0-0 draw in the final.
Their round game results were: Parkes defeated Orange 2 2-1 (Gina Spratt, Carla Peden), defeated Newcastle 2 3-0 (Peden, Donna Payne, Sommer Tanswell), lost to Goulburn 2 2-3 (Payne, Karina White), defeated Metro South West 2 3-0 (Peden 2, Lisa Clarke), defeated Southern Highlands 3-0 (Peden 2, Payne)
It was a solid performance by all the girls in Parkes 3 with the team improving every game, playing very well in defence and attack.
Parkes 3 played all their games on grass and adjusted well to the surface over the weekend, with trapping a highlight for the side.
The carnival has been praised a huge success, with visitors raving about the facilities and high level of organisation for the carnival.
Parkes Hockey president Aaron Huppatz was thrilled with the weekend and the amount of people in the Parkes community who banded together to host such a huge event.
“We hosted a carnival with 61 teams and over 1000 participants with ease,” he said.
“There were many locals who worked tirelessly all weekend to make this a success.
“It was the icing on the cake to have two Parkes teams make finals and for Parkes to take out the overall state title in Division 1 is just amazing.”
Reports on the Parkes teams 2, 4 and 5 are still to come.
Click here to view our socials photo gallery from the weekend.