With only the required number of players to make a team for the state indoor hockey championships, a Parkes Division 2 team has managed to work their way to become runner-up state champions in the under 18s.
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The Parkes under 18 girls' indoor hockey team participated in the Under 18 State Championships that took place in early December at Goulburn.
The side has been praised for their brilliant efforts in all of their games that saw them reach the final of Division 2.
The team consisted of Meg Turner, Emmie Searl, Meghan Searl, Gracey Denham Jones, Lara Piercy and Eloisa Purtell, with Will Searl as coach and Simone Purtell as the team's manager.
Parkes was undefeated in its rounds games, which saw the side leave its opponents scoreless in two out of the four matches.
The results in the round games were:
Game 1 versus Newcastle - 5-nil win to Parkes.
Game 2 versus North west Sydney - 4-1 win to Parkes.
Game 3 versus Illawarra - 5-3 win to Parkes.
Game 4 versus Dubbo - 6-nil win to Parkes.
The girls' strong performance allowed the Parkes team to finish first in their pool, taking them to the semi final to face North Sydney and Beaches.
The side described the clash as a "very tough game", challenging the teenagers and pushing them to their limits.
They fought hard and were able to finish with a 1-all draw - a very pleasing result that kept them in the championships.
The Parkes team qualified for the final because they were higher up the ladder.
They met a very determined North West Sydney team in the final.
The Parkes girls played what the team's coach, manager and supporters said was "above and beyond".
"To reach the final was a huge achievement, especially as the team did not have any subs," they said.
Despite their gallant efforts, the team was defeated by just one goal, 4-3, rounding out the state titles as runners-up for Division 2.
