A grand final berth in their return season is exactly what CYMS have been working towards all year but green and golds coach Pete Shea says his side’s not thinking about that just yet, not when they still have the get past minor premiers Bathurst St Pat’s.
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CYMS travel to face the Saints in this weekend’s women’s Premier League Hockey preliminary final, after the Bathurst side was downed by perennial contenders Lithgow Panthers in last week’s major semi-final.
“I didn’t see the game but I was actually a little bit surprised Lithgow won last weekend, because St Pat’s are a really good side,” he admitted.
“I’d suggest Lithgow would’ve shut down St Pat’s individual stars, they do rely on a few really quality players. We’ll need to do that too, because we have to win this one and that’s all we’re focused on.
“It’d be great to get into a grand final, absolutely, that’s what every side wants in any season but we can’t be thinking about that just yet.”
CYMS won through the penultimate game of the season courtesy of a Libby Smith strike in extra-time, the 74th minute goal secured the side’s upset win over reigning champions Bathurst City.
Shea labelled the performance his side’s best of the season, adding he’d like to see his troops build on that further.
“I guess you don’t really want it come down to that again, but we only have to win, if it does so be it,” he said.
“We played really, really well last weekend and I think was probably our best effort of the season.
“It’s about coming together everywhere, not relying on any individuals too much and working together. The more we work together the better our results will be.”
CYMS are yet to best the minor premiers in 2018, the two sides played out a nil-all draw in round seven before the Saints prevailed 3-2 in the final round of the regular season.
Couple that with Saturday’s game being a sudden-death final, and you’ve got the makings for another epic.
“That’s what you want, too,” Shea said.
“You want these games to be played between two good sides that are playing good hockey, we’re looking forward to it.”
Saturday’s preliminary final kicks off at 1.50pm at Bathurst, with the winner progressing to September 8’s grand final against Panthers.
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