BATHURST City was not able to finish its 2020 women's Premier League Hockey season with a win, but captain Bec Bosianek still had reason to smile after Saturday's 1-0 loss to St Pat's.
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She could smile because her side - even when missing six regulars - came so close to the finals bound Saints.
She could smile because the young members of Bathurst's City's squad, three of whom were debutantes, did the job required of them.
"We're actually pretty happy with the game today, to only go down 1-0," Bosianek said.
"We had opportunities, we just couldn't make the most of them today unfortunately. There were some really good saves by the goalkeeper and a good save off the line by one of their fullbacks.
"We all gelled, the young ones that have come up showed potential, so the future looks good for the club."
Amongst the 'young ones' the skipper referred to were the debutantes in Maggie Thompson plus Hayley and Giaan Willott.
The game time they got on Saturday was a good reward for the effort they had put in at training while it also gave them a indication of the standard required to be a Premier League regular.
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"They all did really well for their first game, they stepped up and pace and realised that yep, this is what it is like to be in Premier League," the captain said.
"They had been to every training, fitness and stick, so it was really lovely to have the final game of the season with those young girls who have trained so hard with us this season.
"There is a good platform, good foundation for the side for next year."
Bathurst City finished the shortened season with just one win, a 3-2 effort against Souths in their season opener.
However, they were only narrowly defeated by each of the four finalists - Lithgow Panthers (1-0), Confederates (2-1), St Pat's (1-0) and Orange CYMS (2-1).
Bosianek thinks that shows City can make a return to the finals in 2021 after missing out the past two seasons.
"We started the year really strong pre-COVID, we had really good numbers at all trainings, but unfortunately we dropped off, a few people got injured," she said.
"But we'll work on that for next year, we'll get the enthusiasm back and like I said, we do have that good platform."
