A brace from Kelso’s Bec Bosianek in the second half, and strong defensive work from the green and white, gave the minor premiers to best possible end to the season at Bob Roach Field.

Kelso got off to an sensational start when they scored inside two minutes through Jade Te Weehi.

Te Weehi was left open at the top of the circle and chipped ’Tahs goalkeeper Anya Whitelaw, who got contact with the ball but couldn’t block the shot.

Two penalty corners quickly followed for Kelso, the second of which saw a shot just miss to the right of the goal.

However, from the 10^th minute the Waratahs attack began to click. The red and black had struggled to click through the midfield in the early stages but once they settled the chances started to come. 

Waratahs levelled the scores in the 17^th minute when Brooke Bateup spun off her defender and put the ball past Kelso stopper Maddie Tattersall into the left corner of the goal.

Three minutes later ’Tahs almost took a shock lead when Annika Dicker’s deflection was met with a sharp stop from Tattersall.

A diving stop from Whitelaw to her right prevented Tirah Jarvis from scoring but the Kelso striker found the mark moments later.

Kirsten Howard made a brilliant break through several Waratahs defenders a sent the ball in to Bosianek.

The initial shot on goal was blocked but when ’Tahs couldn’t clear the ball Jarvis was present to give her side the advantage.

It could have been a 3-1 lead for Kelso going into half-time if not for a one-on-one save from Whitelaw against Jarvis inside the last minute.

Bosianek made that scoreline happen just five minutes into the new half when her lightning shot from a penalty corner found the left corner of the goal.

Kelso were enjoying the better field position in the second half but a defensive mix-up almost saw them concede a goal in the 46^th minute.

Instead Bosianek brought the ball back up the other end and broke Waratahs’ hearts with her second goal of the day.

“There was great defence from both goalkeepers. There was nothing in it. We’ve always had great games against Waratahs and we were thrilled to meet them in the grand final, and more than happy with the result,” Kelso coach Maureen Markwick said.

“From a Bathurst City perspective it’s great, with both feeder clubs playing. There’s six of the girls from the original 2007 Bathurst City team playing each other and that’s marvellous.

“Jade made a big difference today. Tirah’s back from injury. Bec Bosianek played her heart out. Defence and attack were spot on.”

Waratahs’ Alecia Sharwood said the team could hold their heads high in defeat.

“We’ve come from behind all season so we’re just stoked to make the grand final. Unfortunately we didn’t pull out our best today but we gave it our all and we’re just happy to be there,” she said.

“We were always going to celebrate regardless of the result.

“Unfortunately for us Kelso made the most of their opportunities and there were a couple for us that we didn’t capitalise on. That’s the way it goes.