- Friday 10 September 2010
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Competitive Dalefield seek vital win
Appearances can be deceiving when assessing Dalefield's performances in the Wellington premier division men's hockey competition this season.
On bare statistics they have not fared particularly well, having won two and drawn one of their 12 matches and sitting alongside tomorrow's opponent at Clareville, Victoria University, at the bottom of the points table.
Statistics, however, do not always tell the full story and in Dalefield's case they clearly understate their competitiveness in what is arguably the strongest men's hockey inter-club competition in the land.
A sentiment borne out by facts which show that Wellington have been the dominant province in the national league over the past five years or so and have achieved similar success in national under-21 tournaments.
Players who have represented their country at senior or age group levels are literally scattered throughout their opposition, while Dalefield do have some players who have performed at national league level, but never higher than that.
Under the current circumstances then, Dalefield are always likely to struggle to keep their head above water and it speaks volumes for the resolve and character within the side that while wins have been few and far between, they have reached a stage where even the top sides can't afford to take them lightly.
Coach Lance Hare isn't one to make excuses, but he agrees that Dalefield's overall record ''very probably'' doesn't do justice to their level of competitiveness.
''Obviously we go out there to win every game and there have been times when we should have done better than we did but, yes, when you consider the strength of the competition we probably haven't done too badly,'' he said. ''You sometimes do wonder whether people from outside the sport know just how tough this competition is. There are absolutely no easy games, not for the top teams and certainly not for us.''
Hare is optimistic, however, that Dalefield can score what would be their second successive win over Victoria University tomorrow. The last meeting between the two was a goal-scoring feast, with Dalefield getting home 8-4. With the likelihood of them meeting again in the playoff for fifth and sixth in a few weeks' time, Hare is keen for his side to repeat that effort on this occasion.
''We are treating this as a must-win, we want to go out there and dominate,'' Hare said. ''But they are no mugs. If they start well and get their confidence up, anything could happen.''
The return of Chris Mason to the left half position should strengthen Dalefield. Nick Finlayson seems likely to retain the right half role. There could be a change at centre half, with Hare considering playing Dane Lett and moving Greg Mason to fullback.
