HOCKEY
JAKE BELESKI
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The Dalefield premier men’s hockey team got revenge for a recent defeat, while the women cantered to victory in Sunday’s premier 1 matches.
Both teams had to play a double-header this weekend due to deferred matches, and for the men that meant another trip to Wellington to take on Harbour City.
Harbour City are the only team to beat Dalefield this season, but they couldn’t repeat the performance as a dominant second half propelled Dalefield to a 5-2 win.
Player-coach Dane Lett said the goal had always been to win both matches over the weekend.
“They’re important points for us and both those sorts of niggly games at this time of the year.
“They’re both sitting below us but it’s always a challenge and they’re not given wins.”
Lett said the recent defeat to Harbour City had provided extra motivation ahead of Sunday’s match, and they took that onto the turf with them in Wellington.
“It gave us a little bit more drive.
“The way we played last time didn’t sit well with us and I think we all wanted to get that one back, so it was a bit more pleasing.”
Dalefield had dominated from the outset in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Victoria University, but started slowly against Harbour City and had to work their way back into the match.
“On Saturday, we kind of dominated the whole match and it was probably only a matter of time before we put more goals away,” Lett said.
”Realistically, we were probably just a little bit disappointed we didn’t get a fifth goal for a bonus point.
“On Sunday, we struggled a bit in the first half and Harbour City definitely came to play.”
Harbour City had taken a 2-1 lead in the first half, but Dalefield clicked into gear in the second spell.
They took a 3-2 lead in the third quarter and put the foot down in the final 15 minutes to extend their advantage.
“It didn’t come easy and we had to roll up our sleeves and fight through it.
“In the third quarter we started to play some better hockey and it was good to roll over them in the end and come through 5-2.
“We did most of the things we were supposed to be doing from the start.”
Meanwhile, the Dalefield premier women also made an emphatic statement on Sunday, winning 5-0 and securing a bonus point against Toa.
Goals were scored by Monique Edwards [2], Jenna Anderson, Kristy Anderson and Katherine van Woerkom.
Coach Michael O’Connor said it wasn’t their greatest performance, but they had done enough to get the win and the important bonus point.
