ALI Baker will step back from Premier League Hockey next year but believes she will be watching Ex-Services again be a force in the finals in 2009.

The Ex-Services stalwart revealed yesterday she plans on limiting her playing to Orange’s division one next year after helping her side get just one win away from this year’s women’s PLH grand final.

Ex-Services lost 2-1 to St Pat’s on Saturday in the final following a late winner for the Bathurst side.

And while St Pat’s now face Bathurst City on Saturday in the grand final, Baker believes the successes of 2008 have shown Ex-Services will be pushing for a spot in the decider in the coming years.

“The next couple of years, we’re going to be up there again,” Baker said.

“Hopefully next year (we’ll make the grand final). I think the foundations have been laid for grand finals (in) the next few years.”

Baker has opted not to continue pursuing the premiership and is looking forward to spending more time on the sidelines watching her children play sport.

She is “quite happy” to be bowing out after the 2008 season, one which saw Ex-Services exceed all expectations.

The Orange side made the PLH finals for the first time since 2000 and lasted three weeks in the finals.

“The goal was to make the finals,” Baker said.

“We were proud of the whole year and more so with how we played on the weekend.

“It’s pretty disappointing (to lose) but we’re still pretty proud.”