Dalefield are looking to give Todd Sugrue a decent sendoff when they play Victoria University in a Wellington premier division men's hockey match at Clareville tomorrow.
Sugrue, who is heading to Australia, has played for the Dalefield premiers for some seven seasons now and coach Mark Fenwick said his versatility had
made him a very important part of the side.
"He's the sort of player who could have competed well at national league, that's the level of skill he's got," Fenwick said of Sugrue. "And you could never question his loyalty, he has stuck with us through thick and thin."
Tomorrow's match is important for Dalefield because with University sitting three points behind them at the bottom of the points table a win here would move Dalefield well away from the relegation zone.
Fenwick said Dalefield would be looking to impose themselves on the game early with the idea of creating doubts in the University minds right from the word go.
"It is a game we should win and we won't be happy with any other result," he said.
The Dalefield women also meet Victoria University in a Wellington premier division game tomorrow and this should be a close match between two teams in the top four on the competition table. University are presently second with 27pts and Dalefield fourth with 21pts.
On the basis of those positions one would expect University to start favourites tomorrow but Dalefield coach Rochelle Retter doesn't see if that way.
Rather Retter believes that with her team back to full strength with the exception of defender Laura Walsh they are well capable of beating University, something they have already managed this season.
"They (University) are a good side but there is no reason whatsoever why we shouldn't have the edge on them," Retter said. "Quite honestly anything other than a win won't be good enough, it's the only result we want."
