The Dalefield women's hockey team have their best opportunity yet to notch their first win of the season when they host bottom of the table Hutt at Clareville on Saturday. The visitors are yet to register a point in the Wellington premier division competition having suffered four losses in as manygames, conceding 20 goals in the process and scoring seven. Dalefield in turn, have managed a solitary draw against Victoria University but will need to improve their offensive game if they are to win. The side has struck only four goals this season while the defence has leaked 12. However, they are brimming with confidence after outplaying defending champions Eastern Hutt for the entire second half last weekend, coming back from 4-0 down to close within two goals at fulltime. Dalefield will also be boosted by the return of Jade Forman and Stephanie Sloane who were last week kept busy with other commitments. The men, in turn, face a more daunting prospect when they also face off against Hutt. While the visiting women's side are struggling, their male counterparts are riding high after dispatching defending champions Northern United last Saturday. The Hutt men have suffered only one loss this season, going down in a thriller to Indians 5-4. To date they have netted 26 goals, including a 13-1 drubbing of Harbour City Tawa, conceding only 10. In comparison, the Dalefield men have let in 21 goals and scored only six. But the side has shown improvement in each outing and will welcome the return of talented youngster Tobin Yeo from under-18 duty when they hit the Clareville turf at 2.45pm. The women open proceedings at 1.15pm.
