This team finished joint premiers last year. They then moved up a division in 2010 and took out division one after completing the campaign undefeated, winning the final 2-0 over Nepean.

Goal scorers in the final were Robyn Morrison and Sally Murray.

In earlier matches Manning accounted for Nepean 4-1, drew with Coffs Harbour 1-1, played a 0-0 draw with Ryde Eastwood before beating Grafton 1-0 and New England 2-0.

At the conclusion of the final game goal keeper Gloria Smith quietly mentioned that she had been playing hockey in State championships since about 1962 and this was the first time she had been part of a winning team. Gloria is a stalwart of hockey in the Manning Valley and continues to play goal keeper and work tirelessly as a volunteer.

The team played the whole championship with no substitutes and just the bare 11 players.

“They played magnificently all weekend, coach Rhonda Ebeling said. “Stand out players were Katrina Hayes, the centre half and captain, and also Robyn Morrison who played beautiful hockey all weekend and topped it off with a penalty stroke in the final to start the scoring.’’

Team members were Katrina Hayes, Gloria Smith, Catheryn Groth, Diane Cubbin, Liz Cortaville-Smith, Robyn Morrison, Alison Kelner, Kate Ryan, Jenny Alcorn, Tanya Bridge and Sally Murray.