At one stage it looked like the Hunter Western Hornets wouldn't be able to field a women's 30s side at last week's National Touch League titles at Coffs Harbour.
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But not only was a side formed, the Hornets side with a distinct Dubbo feel stuck it to some more fancied rivals on the way to making the semi-finals.
In a somewhat revamped competition which combined a number of age groups this year, the Hornets side was defeated by the eventual champions, the Brisbane Cobras, in the semis.
"The team nearly folded at the trial when we didn't have enough numbers but we'd won the women's 35s for the past five years so I wanted to get a team," Dubbo's Nic Grose said.
"They said I was coach and was organising it so the pressure was on but I wanted to make it happen."
Grose did make it happen. As captain, coach, and manager of the Hornets side she organised a team which consisted of three other Dubbo Touch Football Association players.
Serena Prout and Krystal Laughton were in again while Emma Fitzgerald was a late call-up to the side.
On top of those players being in action at Coffs Harbour, former Dubbo duo Timothy Boney-Stewart and Harry West played for the Hornets' open mixed side which made the quarter finals.
It's just awesome to play with your mates.
- Nic Grose on Hornets' Dubbo connection
"It's always been difficult to get Dubbo people to trial simply because the majority of the players, coaches and others involved come from that coastal area," Grose said of the Hornets.
"The Hornets goes from Newcastle to Parkes so it's a massive area and a massive commitment just to go to the trials let alone be selected and then go to training and play.
"But it was great to have a few people in this time and country players have just as much right as anyone else to be there."
As well as the players, Dubbo's Paul Keyte was also in action at Coffs Harbour as a referee.
Having such a strong Dubbo presence on show on at the highest level tournament in the country was not only a major positive for the local game, it made life much easier on the field.
"There's that country connection and it opens up everyone's eyes up to the coastal and city players and shows we can match it," Grose said.
"Also it's just awesome to play with your mates."
Despite playing with mates, Grose and her Hornets side endured a slow start to the national titles.
The Hornets 30s women lost to the Cobras and Sydney Rebels in the opening two rounds, putting the pressure on a side eyeing a place in the finals.
But it came together quickly after that, with back-to-back 9-1 wins recorded over NSW Northern Eagles and Defence Warriors.
The group stage was rounded out with a 3-all draw with Victoria and a 7-3 win over the Warriors in the quarters set up a semi clash with the Cobras.
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But the Hornets' dream was ended there as the Brisbane City side scored a 5-0 win.
"We really did match it with the best after a slow start," Grose said.
"That put us in a difficult position and gave us a harder road to the finals so it was a bit unlucky.
"I thought we deserved a grand final spot but that's just the way it goes."
While it wasn't the ending the side wanted, there was still a huge bonus as Prout finished as leading try-scorer in the division.
"She was top try-scorer and got the coaches award. She did an awesome job," Grose said of her Dubbo teammate.
"She was a standout on the wing and I could see her being selected in a state side if she put her mind to it.
"She's been a standout in any team I've played in and she always steps up, talks great and deserves the recognition."