THE Hockey Australia Women’s Veterans Championships had a silver lining for Orange’s Sue Hope.

She was part of the NSW team which won silver in the over-55s division.

NSW and Victoria played Saturday’s final and were locked at 1-all at the end of the regular time as well as extra-time.

The match went into a penalty shootout and Victoria came out on top.

“It was a good game,” Hope said.

“We had our chances but they beat us on the penalty shootout. It’s a terrible way to lose.

“I think after playing all that, being declared joint winners would have been much better.

“But that’s the rules. A silver medal is still great.”

Hope said she enjoyed the tournament in Brisbane where NSW went through their pool matches unbeaten.

She was especially excited to play in the final as she missed the 2006 decider when she injured her knee and was unable to play.

“It was a fantastic tournament,” Hope said.

“I got plenty of game time. Our coach was very fair. There were three of us who he used all over the place. It was probably a vote of confident in us that we could go on anywhere and do the job. It was a bonus to play in the final after missing out in Darwin. It was very satisfying.”

Adding to NSW’s success were players being named in the inaugural Australian over-55s women’s team and another as a shadow.

Hope managed to avoid injury this year and said she would love to play in the 2009 championships.

“I’m hoping to go again next year,” she said.

“It depends on a lot of things, though.”