Katherine van Woerkom … scored Dalefield’s only goal. PHOTO/FILE
HOCKEY
CHRIS COGDALE
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Despite having to settle for a 1-1 draw with Kapiti in the latest round of the Wellington women’s Premier Championship, Dalefield coach Michael O’Connor was happy with his team’s effort.
Kapiti opened the scoring in the first quarter in the match played in Paraparaumu on Saturday.
Dalefield captain Katherine van Woerkom equalised, also in the first quarter, and that’s how the score remained.
The Kapiti side boasted former Black Sticks international Suzie Muirhead, who at 44, has been a pivotal player in home games for the Paraparaumu-based club.
O’Connor said his team contained Muirhead well, and she was also sin-binned twice with green cards.
“We played really well. We passed really well and kept Suzie under control, but we just couldn’t get a result,” he said.
“In the second half, we had pretty much all the territory. We had plenty of chances, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the goal.”
The match was the first of two that will test the depth of the team with the absence of the team’s under-18 players involved in the national tournament.
Three players, goalkeeper Amy Rossiter-Stead and defender-midfielders Amy Bunny and Jaylin Dawson missed Saturday’s game, and a further three will be missing for next Saturday’s home game against Karori.
Red Star lead the way
Red Star have taken the lead in the Hockey Wairarapa women’s Division One.
They beat Gladstone Gold 4-1 over the weekend and overtook Dalefield, who were held to a surprising scoreless draw by Featherston.
The East Coast-Kia Kaha game was deferred with several players unavailable due to playing in an Under-18 tournament in Timaru.
Red Star continued their dominance of men’s Division One.
Their 6-1 defeat of Featherston sees them retain their unbeaten record and maintain a seven-point lead over Kia Kaha.
Kia Kaha had a 3-0 win over Carterton Vets, while Red Star Old Boys were far too good for JNL, cantering to a 9-0 victory.
In women’s Division Two, Coasties Masters continued their impressive run of form with an 8-1 defeat of Featherston Foxies, and Gladstone Black dispatched Wairarapa Mitsubishi 5-1.
STANDINGS
Men
Division One: Red Star 34 points, Kia Kaha 27, Carterton Vets 21, Red Star Old Boys 16, JNL 9, Dalefield Dodgers 7, Featherston 1.
Women
Division One: Red Star 30, Dalefield NZ Racing 29, Featherston 16, Kia Kaha 14, Gladstone Gold 11, East Coast 10.
Division Two: Coasties Masters 33, Eketahuna Tuis 29, GAS Eketahuna 28, Gladstone Black 19, Tumu ITM 15, Martinborough 12, Featherston Foxies 5, Wairarapa Mitsubishi 0.
