Dalefield will need to "step it up" if they are to beat Victoria University in their Wellington premier division women's hockey match at Clareville tomorrow. Coach Kim Henson was relatively happy with the form shown in the 8-2 win over Harbour-City Tawa last weekend but he knows University will offer sterneropposition on this occasion. "They (University) are a good side and we will need to lift our game to beat them," he said. " We will have to be tighter on defence and more accurate on attack and I'm confident that will happen." Tactically, Henson said Dalefield would be looking to test University down the right flank before hopefully creating space for their forwards in the circle. "It's not the sort of game where you can afford to go all defensive, we'll be looking to place the emphasis on attack, that's our best chance of a win", he said. The Dalefield men will undoubtedly be the underdogs in their Wellington premier division match with Hutt in Wellington but the confidence gained from their hugely improved showing against competition leaders Northern United last weekend should stand them in good stead. Northern United had to struggle hard for their 1-0 in that particular match with Dalefield giving as good as they received in all areas of the game. Coach Craig Nielsen understands Hutt, which has been strengthened by the acquistion of two Dutch players, will be formidable opposition but he believes Dalefield only need to find space for their speedy and skilful forwards and an upset is not out of the question. "We are working on an attacking system which is all about setting up fast breaks for our forwards and it would be nice to think it would all come together tomorrow," he said. An extra incentive for Dalefield is that the Nielsen Trophy is at stake every time Dalefield and Hutt meet and helping their cause too will be the appointment of a team manager, Rochelle Retter, who is just in her second week in that role.
