The Bowral third grade ladies were left to carry the flag for the club, but the premiership was not to be theirs. The match began at sunrise and Cheetahs attacked early. For the first fifteen minutes all we could do was defend solidly. Michelle saved several certain goals and the rest of the team worked hard to keep the ball out scoring range. Once our young kids settled, they returned fire and put pressure on the opposition, but still could not get that elusive goal. Half time saw the score at nil all.

Cheetahs scored early in the second half, which spurred our kids to greater effort, creating opportunities, but unable to convert them to goals. Midway through this half, Renee got a message from the sideline and within minutes Teresa picked up a ball sent from the back and passed to Renee on the posts who tapped it over the line. An expensive goal, but the score was level and we still kept attacking where possible.

A breakaway saw Mittagong back near our goal. Michelle dived to save a shot, and in the ensuing play, the umpire raised his hand to signal our advantage. The ball appeared to go out, was dragged back in and pushed passed Michelle and a goal was awarded. Somewhere along the way we had lost our advantage without knowing it.

With only minutes to go we had several more attempts to score but to no avail. The final score was 2-1 to Cheetahs.

Everyone can be proud of the efforts and of the fact that for most of the team it was their first year in senior hockey and they reached a grand final. It is hard to name any one player as the best as everyone played hard. The team is Michelle Betts, Karen Whitby, Felicity Miller, Sonia Hayden, Karen McGrath, Kate Pinkstone, Elissa Christensen, Penny Jessop, Renee Roberts, subs Teresa Maguire, Melinda Christensen, Gabrielle Elsing, our three on holidays, Taryn Harris, Alex Furniss,

Anna Gardner and Elizabeth Armstrong.

Thank you to our sponsors, Bowral Bowling Club, to the wonderful band of dedicated parents who were there for us all, week after week, rail hail or shine and to those who realised we existed and travelled to Robertson to support us. And a huge thanks to Dot Furphy and Mindy Armstrong for all their help over the last few weeks.