The first days of the Hockey NSW Women's State Championships have come and gone, with Bathurst 2 enjoying the better results form the city's two teams.
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Bathurst 1 enjoyed a 3-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday morning, but it was the only win the team in lime green and white enjoyed in division one, as it went on to lose 4-2 to North Sydney and Beaches, draw nil-all with Illawarra South Coast and loss to Metro South West in a high-scoring match 8-5.
Their counterparts - Bathurst 2 - completed the first two days undefeated in division three, courtesy of a 1-0 win over North West Sydney, two 1-1 draws with Illawarra South Coast and Tamworth respectively and a massive 9-0 win over Tamworth.
Because of their results, Bathurst 2 finished top of their group, two points clear of Illawarra South Coast and Tamworth, both on eight points but finished second and third respectively due to goal difference.
Bathurst 2 coach Ben Weal said he was pleased with how his team performed, considering many of players in the team hadn't played together until Saturday morning.
"We've been taking it one game at a time, not trying to look too far ahead," he said.
We've been taking it one game at a time, not trying to look too far ahead.
- Bathurst 2 coach Ben Weal
"We've been having a good time while we've playing, enjoying each others' company and getting to know each other."
In Bathurst 2's final game on Sunday, the class between them and Hunter was evident, in what was a massive 9-0 win.
St Pat's player Kristy Ekert bagged a hat-trick, with two field goals and one penalty corner.
Julie Hanman scored two, Ali Stanford also claimed a double and Jennifer Muldoon and Carley Hagney scored one each.
Weal said his side has gradually improved as the championships have progressed.
"On the first day, a lot of these girls haven't played with each other before. They've come from different clubs, different grades even," he said.
"It's all about getting the girls to gel first. In that time we have. Our hockey has improved as we've gone. That's all you can hope for.
"We had some pretty tough competition on Saturday and on Sunday morning and we played well in those games."
Bathurst 2 have now progressed to the semi-final stage of the competition and will play an unconfirmed opponent at 8am on Monday morning at the Bathurst Hockey Complex.
Illawarra South Coast and Tamworth will play in the other semi-final at 9.10am, with the final of division three to be played at 12.40pm.
Bathurst 1 finished third out of five in its pool, missing the semi-finals.
The two semi-finals will be contested by Metro South West and Nepean and Northern Sydney and Beaches and North West Sydney.