HIS side's 2014 Premier League Hockey campaign may be over but you couldn't wipe the smile from Dubbo Blue Jays coach Graeme Waters' face on Saturday.
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The Blue Jays ended 2014 with a 3-0 loss against semi-finals bound Parkes United in a game where the visitors' ability to capitalise on chances was all that separated the teams.
Dubbo matched Parkes for large portions of the 70 minutes but lacked the polish to put the final shot away.
That has been the case for most of the year. But for a side in only its second full season at Premier League level, to finish with four wins and being competitive in a number of other games is enough to suggest 2015 will be a better year for the side.
"When we came back two years ago we knew that it was something that would take 3 to 5 years simply because a lot of the girls hadn't played this level before," Waters said.
"To be honest they've probably gone better than I expected they would at the start of this year, and it gives us a good platform for next season."
After the opening exchanges Parkes took the lead in the 14th minute when Louise Hawken pushed a loose ball past Dubbo keeper Micaela Wheeler.
Despite the Blue Jays, who were without Emma and Kate Corcoran, creating some opportunities Parkes' defence always seemed to be able to get a stick in at vital times to thwart any danger.
Dubbo skipper Alex Waters was strong in her return from injury while youngster Courtney Hogan again stood out with some enterprising attacking play and Kyla Lake showed glimpses in defence.
Any chance of Dubbo snatching a result was thwarted early in the second half when Sarah Melhuish put away Parkes' second goal of the afternoon before Hawken finished the scoring when she bagged her second with nine minutes remaining.
While they were beaten the Blue Jays never gave up, and that was signified through Alex Waters and Luci Ferguson playing despite knee problems, and Emily Lake returning to the pitch despite copping a nasty blow to the foot in the second half.
"I couldn't ask for much more from the girls to be honest. All year they have tried really hard," Waters said.
"I'm not sure what some of our older girls will do next year, whether they will play or not, but most of the young girls have indicated they'd like to play so that's a good sign.
"If we can keep the bulk of this group together I see no reason why we can't improve again next year and keep building. The more Premier League they play the better they will get and they will learn to take those opportunities in games which was something that hurt us all year."
