In the battle of the two competition heavyweights the Victorians came away 5-3 winners from the deciding match at Goulburn.

Howard said his side had an idea of how to bring the Victorians down but their opponents were a cut above.

“It was a tough one. They just turned up and gave it their all and were the better side on the day,” he said.

“We didn’t know much about how they played, because we hadn’t played them before. We watched a couple of training sessions to get an idea of what they would be like but they were very tough to play against.

“It would have been good to make it two golds, after the 13s girls won earlier in the week, but a silver’s still alright.”

Howard and the NSW team went through their pool stage with an unbeaten record.

In their opening game against the ACT they produced a second half clinic to run away 9-2 winners, smashing home four goals in five minutes after the break.

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Western Australia provided a bigger challenge for the boys in blue. NSW held a 3-1 lead at the break before WA brought the margin back to one but the hosts were able to stay in front until the end.

Howard picked up his first goal of the tournament during a 12-0 rout of Queensland Gold. Howard struck home the opening goal of the second half from a penalty corner.

NSW thumped an under staffed South Australian side 13-0 in the quarter-final, with the blues’ Rohan Lawrence finding four of those goals.

A rematch with ACT was on the cards for the semi-final and despite an improved performance from the capital city squad Howard and his team came out 6-3 winners to book a meeting with Victoria.

NSW were able to respond swiftly following a Victorian goal in the opening minute but their southern rivals got back out to a 3-1 half-time lead.

The teams alternated goals across the second half as the Victorians held their advantage.

Having the chance to play a different form of hockey is always a welcome experience for Howard and his team.

“It was a different sort of game, very fast and intense. It was enjoyable,” he said.

“In indoor hockey you’re touching the ball way more. It’s definitely a harder job than in outdoor. 

“We went really well in the group stages. I got a goal in those which was good to come away with.

“I’ve played with a lot of guys in this team for about four years now. We only had one new player in the team this year.”