The team of seven plus two reserves finished at the top of the Hunter River pool in May, which includes 17 clubs from Cessnock, Maitland and Singleton areas.

East Cessnock then won the zone five regional play-off against Raymond Terrace (Newcastle district) at Kurri in July.

This win qualified the ladies for the state play-offs in Nowra and Bomaderry in August.

The state play-offs for their grade consisted of 15 teams split into three sections, with all games played at Nowra.

East Cessnock won all four games in their section, which qualified them for the play-off against the other two section winners, Merrylands and Dubbo City.

Both East Cessnock and Merrylands overcame Dubbo City, meaning East Cessnock would play Merrylands in the final at Bomaderry.

The ladies put in a great effort to win one rink and lose the other, but ended up going down by 12 shots to Merrylands, who finished as grade two state champions.

The outstanding result means East Cessnock will now move up to the top tier, to contest the Hunter River grade one district in 2016.

The team were led into the ceremony by a bagpiper at East Cessnock Bowling Club on Wednesday, and marched through a guard of honour formed by players from Merrylands (state champions), Bellbird Park (Hunter District runners-up), East Maitland and Maitland City (Hunter District) and Zone finalists Raymond Terrace.

Their pennants were presented by district president Wanda Bedford along with badges, followed by a luncheon and formal proceedings.

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent attended the ceremony and congratulated the players on their achievement.

“It’s great publicity for Cessnock and for East Cessnock Bowling Club,” he said.