CYMS' Pip Mannix was superb at the Hockey Australia Under-18 Girls' National Championship at Hobart this week and helped her NSW side claim the bronze medal but the state's second-string side, the Blues, completely stole the show.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While Mannix's top NSW side lost just two games on their way to third, one of which happened to be at Queensland's hands in the semi-final that relegated them to the bronze medal match, the Blues stunned the entire competition by earning a miraculous grand final berth.
Considering the second-string NSW outfit is made up of largely bottom-age players and has a developmental focus, it's some achievement.
They went agonisingly close to pulling off the most remarkable of championship wins too but sadly fell just short against Queensland, going down 3-2 in an absolute thriller on Wednesday morning.
After a scoreless opening half the Blues actually looked likely of an upset win after taking a 1-nil lead through Macy Carrothers at the 45-minute mark, but the maroons roared home.
Although the Blues added another goal in the fourth and final quarter, the maroons rifled in three to claim a come-from-behind, gold medal win.
Mannix's side romped home in the bronze medal match, taking down Victoria 5-nil on the back of a Helena Tobbe double, while Parkes' India Draper also found the back of the net.
NSW lost 4-nil to the eventual champions in the semi-finals, having progressed to the final four in second spot after downing Western Australia (3-1), Northern Territory (12-1), South Australia (4-nil) and the ACT (4-nil), while dropping their clash with Victoria (1-nil) in the pool stage.
WANT MORE ORANGE AND REGIONAL SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...