Dalefield confidence raised by last match

The confidence gained from a narrow 5-4 loss to Hutt last weekend should serve Dalefield well in their Wellington premier division men's hockey encounter with Northern United at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.
Coming as it did on the back of a 12-0 loss to Indians in their opening competition game Dalefield badly needed a strong effort against Hutt and they got it, taking a 2-0 lead early in the piece and giving as good as they received through most of the match. Dalefield coach Mark Fenwick was delighted with the improved performance of his side although frustrated they did not win, or at least draw. "We deserved better than a loss so the end result was a bit disappointing," he said.
Playing Northern United third up suggests Dalefield clearly drew the short straw in the early-season programme as they, along with Indians and Hutt,have to rate as the top three sides in the premier division series.
Fenwick respects Northern United as a well-balanced combination particularly efficient at feeding off their opposition mistakes but he says Dalefield will be making the trip over the hill intent on securing the first win of the 2008 season. "It's just a matter of sticking to the basics and taking our chances, potentially we can do it," he said.
National age group representative Shane Hodgkiss, who scored two of the goals against Hutt, is a doubtful starter tomorrow because of injury and defender Camus Wyatt is in the same boat. Their absence would, of course, be unfortunate but Dalefield have a squad of 16 so adequate cover should not be a problem.
The Dalefield women were also given a major confidence boost last weekend when they beat Hutt (not defending champions Eastern Hutt as initially reported)by 3-0 in their Wellington premier division match and they will be looking to sustain that form when they play Karori at the National Hockey Stadium tomorrow.
Coach Rochelle Retter said the Hutt match was a good test of character for the mainly young Dalefield side with Hutt looking to upset them in both a physical and mental sense.
"They did their best to get into our heads but we coped well," she said.
A key figure in that victory for Dalefield was former national league player Janeen Bruce but she won't be on hand tomorrow and neither will be another of the old guard in Jody Graham
They will be missed but Retter is excited about the prospect of tomorrow's game providing the first opportunity for the plethora of St Matthew's Collegiate and Wairarapa College players in her squad to play together.
Among the more interesting combinations will be that of Charlotte Meo and Tara Hall up front.Both are very quick players capable of turning half-chances into goals and Retter is hopeful of them getting enough quality possession to regularly terrorise the Karori defence.