Dalefield produced their best performance of the season when they were beaten 4-3 by University in their Wellington premier division men's hockey match at Clareville on Saturday. University started hot favourites to beat a Dalefield team still to score their first win of the season but in a game which featureda scoreless first half, a draw would have been a fair result. "It was a tight game, one which have gone either way," Dalefield coach Mark Fenwick said. "We gave as good as we got all the way through It was frustrating to lose but you couldn't grumble at the effort put in, it couldn't have been any better." The match featured a physical contest through the midfield with the tenaciousness of the defence there being a high point but both teams also created a number of good scoring chances. Fenwick said the strong showing by Dalefield was evidence of the steady improvement their mainly inexperienced side had shown all season. "They have getting better game by game and that's very encouraging," he said. "It's a tough competition to learn in but they are heading in the right direction." The Masons, Greg and Chris, both starred for Dalefield as did hard-working centre back Tobyn Yeo. Greg Mason scored two of their goals with the other going to Nathan Shannahan. The Dalefield women's team also turned on a gritty display in their Wellington premier division match with Indians at Clareville on Saturday. The well-perfomed Indians had to work hard for their 4-2 success.
