Dalefield Black has emerged as the team to beat as the Wairarapa division one women's hockey competition enters its semi-final stages at Clareville tomorrow. They finished the preliminary rounds with 43pts, followed by Red Star A 40, Dalefield Dazzlers 33, Featherston 24, Dalefield Gold 23, Wairarapa College second XI 15, Carterton14, Red Star White 11 and St Matthews second XI 9. The first of the semi-finals will see Red Star A up against Dalefield Dazzlers, starting at 12.15pm. Red Star have a good winning strike rate this season having won 13 games, losing two and drawing one. Spearheading their effort for coach Quintin Henderson will be the likes of Kylie Henderson, Julie Spring, Paula Thomson, Helen Gibbs, Kim Stewart and Hayley Jones. Dalefield Dazzlers are the defending division one champions and appear to be peaking at the right time again. They have an experienced line-up who should give the slightly more fancied Red Star side plenty to think about in what should be a physical encounter. Key players for them will be Meredith Gillies, Fleur Jane, Kath Saxton, Marie Johnson, Margie Holmes and Marie Eastwood. Dalefield Black and Featherston meet in the other semi-final, starting at 1.30pm. Their impressive record of 14 wins, one draw and one loss illustrates the impact Dalefield Black has made in their first year in this competition, something player-coach Justine Robertson puts down to a positive attitude. They have benefited from the experience of former Wellington national league player Tracey Donald and past Wairarapa reps, Robertson herself, Leanne Daley and Ann-Marie Nikolaison. Current Wairarapa under-20 reps Harriet Cameron and Stephanie Sloan from St Matthew's have added speed and fitness to the side and others like goalie Sharon Gates, Laura Rhymer, Amanda Drummond, Dana Johanson, Nicolette Sheehan, Shelley Robertson, Elaine Robertson and Rewa Pomare have also made their presence felt. Featherston sealed their place in the semis with a good win in their last round robin game on Monday night and while they will start the rank underdogs tomorrow they do have enough potential to upset the favourites. Leading the charge for them will be Catherine Smith, Sonia Hume, Tania McDonald and Tania Rogers.
