Marcus Ambrose [black] scored a hat-trick in his first game back from illness. PHOTO/FILE
HOCKEY
CHRIS COGDALE
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MEN
Indians 4
Dalefield 4
Marcus Ambrose returned from several weeks on the sidelines to score a hat-trick for Farriers Dalefield in a hard-fought draw with Indians at the National Hockey Stadium.
Ambrose had been out of the game with glandular fever, but he quickly rediscovered his goal-scoring form, netting the second and third goals, and the vital equaliser with about five minutes to play.
Dalefield player-coach Benedict van Woerkom said the two-time defending champions struggled initially against the fired-up Indians.
“They came out with a hiss and roar, but we didn’t help ourselves,” he said, “our shape around the back and ball movement was almost non-existent, and they pressured us quite well.”
Van Woerkom felt that 4-4 was a fair result.
“It was an open game, a good tough battle, and there were opportunities at either end. There was still constructive hockey, but not always how we like to play.”
Dalefield have a two-point lead in the Wellington Men’s Premier Championship with three rounds to play.
WOMEN
Toa 0
Dalefield 12
Farriers Dalefield were untroubled in a one-sided contest with struggling Toa at the National Hockey Stadium.
The defending champions were in control early, with two goals in the first two minutes. They went to halftime 4-0 up, and in the third quarter put the foot down, adding a further five goals.
Player-coach Katherine van Woerkom felt Dalefield had played they wanted to and dictated from the start.
“It might seem strange, but their goalie didn’t really touch the ball much. She made a couple of saves at the end, but we just played around her, and it was good, positive, constructive hockey,” she said.
Emma Smith scored four goals, Mandy Yeo and Emma McLeod scored two, and Brigette Mossman, Charlize Baron, van Woerkom, and Rosie Rooderkirk grabbed one each.
Dalefield remain third in the Wellington Women’s Hockey Premiership, equal with Harbour City on 23 points.
