Services defender Prue Davies has thrived off the extra responsibility that has been thrust on her this season.
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While only 22, Davies is one of the most experienced members of the first grade side and has found herself taking on a bit more of a mentoring role.
But she is "loving it".
"I've thrived off it," she said.
"It makes me want to do better and be better and help the young girls as well."
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She can relate to how they are feeling being a similar age to what a lot of them are when she made the jump up to first grade.
"I remember when I was in the same position, it can be a bit daunting sometimes," she reflected.
On Sunday she played a key role as they held on to beat Tudor Wests 2-1 and enhance their finals chances.
Heading into the weekend there was only five points between second-placed South United and bottom-placed Tudors with Services tucked away in third (on goal difference).
There is now seven, and three between Servies and fourth-placed Waratahs.
"It was a bit of a scrappy win, but a win's a win," Davies said.
She added: "We're a very young team. But we're definitely getting there."
Tudors scored first through Natalie Willis but captain Kim McLean and Alivia Wilson hit back for Servies to give them the lead.
Tudors did have a couple of good equalising chances in the final quarter but Davies and co thwarted them. Servies had their chances too but experienced a similar outcome.
Davies has been a constant at the back for Servies since moving across from Souths about seven years ago.
Hockey has similarly been a constant in her life since she was young.
"Since I was 7 I've always played and I've always loved it," she said.
"And the older I've got the more I've loved it."
Last month she had the opportunity to test herself against some of the best players in the state as part of the Tamworth opens side that contested the state championships. It wasn't the first time Davies has played at the championships, but was her first away with the top Frogs side, and playing in Division 1.
"I loved it, loved every single second of it," she said.
She added: "It makes you want to come back and play better and encourage the girls to want to go away for opens and play at a level like that as well."
Flames and South United posted convincing wins in the other two Round 11 games.
Flames accounted for Olympians 8-1 while Maddie Lewin and Amber Witney both fired hat-tricks as South United thumped Waratahs 9-nil.
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