IF it hadn't been for successful back-to-back strikes from Orange CYMS then Saturday's women's Premier League Hockey match might have had a happier ending for hosts St Pat's.
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However, that's the reality that the Saints have to face after going down 3-1 to the visitors at Bob Roach Field.
Jade Georgiou's brace and a Georgie Watson strike were enough to see off a Pat's side with a big short corner count in their favour and a missed penalty stroke.
Sarah Watterson got Pat's on the board just after half-time to get her team within a goal, finishing off a nice piece of play in the field alongside Kristy Ekert.
The Orange squad held their composure in the top-of-the-table meeting.
CYMS scored a crucial goal early in the final quarter two take the margin back out to two, holding onto that advantage until the siren to take an outright competition lead.
Pat's coach Jaden Ekert said if it hadn't been for a couple of costly defensive lapses then there was little to separate the clubs.
"We were probably in control of the game for about 75 per cent of the time," he said.
"It just didn't fall our way. It was one of those games where we normally would have walked off with the win and I think they knew that."
The game was packed with close calls for the blue and white.
Saints hit the post off a short corner, had a missed penalty stroke and were penalised when they looked certain to put away a goal.
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The Bathurst women weren't short on opportunities but CYMS goalkeeper Kimberley Kiel had an outstanding performance.
"The girls played awesome. We controlled it and we were technically ahead in the game with how much possession we had.
"We had 13 short corners to two and their keeper made nine saves off those short corners."
The encouraging sign for the Saints was that their loss was a much improved effort compared to their 4-0 defeat earlier in the season to CYMS, which Ekert cited as the club's worst game of the year.
Lucy Weal was injured in the lead up to the match but her replacement Jodi Webb had one of her best games of the season, according to Ekert, and filled the position admirably.
The loss keeps Pat's on 28 points, now holding just a 10 point margin over fourth place after wins for both Confederates and Bathurst City.
CYMS move to 32 points with Lithgow Panthers close behind on 30.
"I've applied a lot of pressure to the girls now. We have to beat City and we have to beat Panthers over the next two weeks," Ekert said.
"If we want to play in that top two spot we need those wins. It's on me to send them down the right path."
ORANGE CYMS 3 (Jade Georgiou 2, Georgie Watson) def BATHURST ST PAT'S 1 (Sarah Watterson)
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
