Wimmera Hockey Association's women's representative team secured the B2 division premiership with a win over Portland at the Senior Country Championships in Geelong on Monday afternoon.
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While seven members of the squad of 16 were playing their first Senior Country Championships, Wimmera's mix of this youth and experience made for a well-balanced team.
Wimmera faced Warrnambool in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday morning.
After a tough game, the Wimmera side finished with a one-goal win.
The next game was against arch rivals North Central, and in another tight result, Wimmera was handed a narrow one-goal loss.
Wimmera's last pool game was against the team from Latrobe Valley.
Strong defence at both ends of the ground was the highlight of what finished up a scoreless draw.
This put the Wimmera side in second place in the pool, setting up a semi-final against the top team from pool A, West Gippsland.
Once again, the opponents tested the Wimmera defence but determined work from the entire defensive group prevented any scoring in the first half.
The pressure did not diminish after the break, with the West Gippsland side becoming frustrated at the resolute defence displayed by the Wimmera team.
With just two minutes of play remaining, West Gippsland earned a penalty corner, but Wimmera's unyielding defence kept the game alive.
Within seconds the ball had been rushed into attack by the Wimmera forwards, and a penalty corner was earned through some tremendously skillful work by Claire Barnett.
At this point the final siren sounded, giving Wimmera one last chance to snatch the game.
Tianna Hendy combined with Sigourney Williams to score and win and a place in the grand final.
The championship's grand final was another tight game, with a goal to Hendy in the opening half being the only score before the game was cut short.
An injury late in the second half handed Wimmera the title.
Wimmera Hockey Association did not enter a team in the men's country championships this season, but a number of players took the opportunity to play for other associations.
Warracknabeal regular Marcus Williamson played for North Central Association, which won the B Grade Premiership by defeating West Gippsland in the grand final.
Horsham stalwart Paul Mackereth played for Warrnambool in pool A of the masters division, finishing the tournament in fourth place.
