BITTERLY disappointed.
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That was how St Pat's coach Jaden Ekert summed his feelings and that of his playing group on Saturday as they went down 3-1 to Orange CYMS in the women's Premier League Hockey major semi-final.
The Saints had been hoping to upset minor premiers CYMS in Orange to earn hosting rights for the grand final - something which would have been a major boost as they hunted for back-to-back premierships.
But a double to 17-year-old CYMS striker Pip Mannix means both the women's and the men's will be played on the Mavis Davis Field on August 31, the first time since 2002 Orange has hosted Premier League Hockey's big day.
"It's really disappointing, we had ample opportunities, as did they, the game was so close," Ekert said.
"We had about 75 percent of the ball and they pulled 11 players back behind the ball to try and hold us out ... I guess these things happen, we just have to start again."
While it was a dejected Saints outfit which walked off the turf, Mannix was overwhelmed at full-time, the young forward clearly her side's most dangerous attacking threat.
CYMS' repelled six St Pat's short corners in the second period, including one with four minutes left on the clock, to maintain what was then a 2-1 lead.
The visitors pulled their goalkeeper at the death in a push for a leveller and a loose pass from one of the St Pat's defenders was swept on by Mannix, who calmly sprinted down field and potted the match-sealing goal, her second in the 3-1 victory.
"The whole point of the game was to have fun today, because we know we play our best when we're having fun," Mannix said.
"We just wanted it more. This is pretty exciting for us. We had to stick it out and I'm so happy we did."
St Pat's rocketed out of the gates and Ruby Clarke scored the game's first goal after just 42 seconds to give her side a 1-0 lead early in the piece.
But that was the only joy for the Saints. While they did find the back of the net late in the final quarter via Kristy Ekert, play was called back, adding to the frustration of the afternoon for the visitors.
The Saints enjoyed eight of the last 10 short corner chances of the game but couldn't break CYMS' defence, with goalie Kimberly Keil terrific at the back.
Mannix scored CYMS' first goal come the 11th minute and then, just after half-time, found space again before a powerful strike was parried by St Pat's keeper Lilli-Rae Campbell.
Georgie Watson swept on the loose ball and put it away for CYMS' second goal and the hosts were never headed.
They were tested, though.
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Green cards to Kennedy Chapman and Emmie Searle within minutes of each other meant Pete Shea's side was down two players at one point but St Pat's couldn't make the most of their advantage.
"I always had confidence in the girls that we'd bring it back," Mannix said, looking back at her side's early 1-0 deficit.
Jaden Ekert nominated Carly Sandry and Kristy Ekert as the Saints best, saying "They just played unreal and were both given our players' player, they were pretty special as they always are."
CYMS will now meet the winner of next Saturday's preliminary final between St Pat's and Panthers, the latter victorious in their minor semi-final clash with Confederates at Lithgow.
