Weakened Dalefield go down fighting

Hockey

Marquis Dalefield men's hockey team put in a very creditable performance against a strong Indians team in Wellington on Saturday despite coming away on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline.

The Clareville-based side went in to the fixture four squad members short but despite the odds rose to the occasion and put in a very respectful performance.

"We played well, in fact very very well, especially in the second half," said team manager Dave Blackwood.

"The game was a free-flowing, exciting affair where we limited them to few scoring chances but those they had they converted."

Dalefield trailed 1-0 at the break with Indians adding three more in the second half, two with drag flicks from penalty corners, while Dalefield's two goals came from young Joseph Robertson and team coach Greg Clark who made a cameo appearance off the bench.

"We had lots of opportunities for more goals but it wasn't to be. We can take encouragement from the performance though because we had the Indians defence at sixes and sevens at times" Blackwood said.

Standouts for Dalefield included Daniel van Woerkom who "was tireless in defence", Joseph Robertson up front and Liam Workman who held the midfield together well.