The under-13s representative team competed in the Hockey NSW state championships from July 13 to 15.

Coached by Michael Good, the team consisted of Sam Allen, Wilfred Aungle, Drew Basford, Conner Beveridge, Rylee Dawes, Henry Good, Angus Hill, Henry Hurley, Artemis Maynard, Cooper McNeilly, Liam Nyholm, Michael O’Connor, Casey Petersen, Roy Petersen and Lincoln Whatman. 

Southern Highlands manager Mat Petersen said after being newly appointed to division two, the team knew it was going to be a tough competition as only four players remained from 2017.

“They played five games and came away with one win, one draw and three losses,” Petersen said.

“Two of the losses were only 1-0 and the boys were in the game right to the very end.

“All games were played in extreme weather which never fazed the boys and they all gave 100 per cent.”

It was an unlucky start for Southern Highlands who went down 1-0 against Sydney South. 

Southern Highlands coordinator for representative teams, Denise Horvath, said while the players didn’t walk away with a win, the low score from the opposition reflected a hard-fought defense.

“They played a very defensive game which kept the score low,” Horvath said.

In the next game, Manning Valley defeated Southern Highlands 9-0.

Southern Highlands then took to the turf against Wagga and celebrated a 3-1 win.

The goals for the game were scored by Rory Petersen, Liam Nyholm and Henry Good.

In a tough game between Sydney South and Southern Highlands which resulted in a 1-1 draw.

Angus Hill hit the back of the goal for the Highlands.

The boys played their final game against Bathurst.

Horvath said it proved to be the most difficult match in the tournament as the teams fought it out on grass instead of the turf they had played on in the previous games.

“Unfortunately, the boys went down 1-0 which wasn’t bad as the Bathurst team plays on grass at home,” she said.

“Plenty of saves from Mickey, our goalie, kept the scoring low.”

Southern Highlands finished in sixth place overall all and secured its position for the 2019 state championships.

Petersen said he was thankful for the community spirit that enabled the team to compete.

“Thanks to the parents that sold raffle tickets and ran a barbecue, we were able to reduce the cost of the trip and purchase new playing shirts that the boys got to keep as a memento,” he said.

“All boys represented our association with pride and should be commended.”