Brigette Mossman scored the vital equaliser for Dalefield. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
HOCKEY
CHRIS COGDALE
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Dalefield are assured of hosting their home elimination semifinal in the Wellington Women’s Premier One Division after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Victoria University on Saturday.
The result means Dalefield cannot be caught for third place and guarantees that the two teams will clash in the sudden death playoff in two weeks.
Victoria took the lead in the first quarter of Saturday’s match, played at the National Hockey Stadium.
Brigette Mossman equalised in the second quarter, finishing off a good team goal that featured some slick passing.
Dalefield had three or four further opportunities to score but failed to make the most of them.
Coach Michael O’Connor said the game was a bit of a ding-dong battle and his team got dragged into Victoria’s style of play.
“It was a little bit frustrating that we didn’t come away with the win, but we’ve got the home advantage for the semis, and that’s good.”
Meanwhile, the Dalefield men finally flexed their muscles with a comprehensive 12-1 thumping of Northern United in their Premier One clash at the National Hockey Stadium.
As the score suggests, Dalefield were dominant from the first whistle. Four goals, starting with a Dane Lett goal from a penalty corner, and including a hat-trick to Benedict van Woerkom gave Dalefield a 4-0 lead at the end of 15 minutes.
Daniel van Woerkom made it five goals by halftime.
A second goal to Dane Lett, followed by strikes from Trent Lett and Dylan Price gave Dalefield an eight-goal cushion at three quarter time.
Two goals to Rowan Yeo, a fourth goal to Benedict van Woerkom and a Zac Hardie goal wrapped up an impressive performance, before Northern United scrambled a consolation goal with seven seconds left on the clock.
Co-manager Bernie Lett said it was one of the better efforts of the season.
“We made better use of the ball. Team wise our structure was much better and we scored some really nice team goals, finishing with just tap ins.
“We really put the pressure on, had the intensity from the start and we were far more consistent.”
The result leaves Dalefield three points behind Hutt United. With those two teams to play at Clareville next Saturday, a Dalefield win would have them snatch the number one seeding and the all-important home advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
