HOCKEY
Dalefield
Hutt United
A dominant first half set up Farriers Dalefield’s Intercity men’s semifinal victory over Hutt United at the Trust House Wairarapa Hockey Complex at Clareville on Saturday.
In a frantic opening five minutes, Dalefield hit the front with a beautifully time drag flick to Black Stick Dane Lett from a penalty corner [PC], only for Hutt to equalise two minutes later from a PC, and then for captain Graeme Murrell to restore the lead for Dalefield, again from a PC.
The home side took control of the match in the second quarter with a goal to Alex Sumenko-Bucknell from a PC and a field goal to Rowan Yeo, who converted to give them a 5-1 lead at halftime.
A second field goal to Yeo, which he also converted, gave Dalefield a 7-1 lead midway through the third quarter before Hutt closed the gap to 7-3 with a converted field goal. Hutt added another converted field goal before Murrell restored the three-goal margin from a PC.
Hutt took off their goalkeeper with six minutes to play but couldn’t break down the stubborn Dalefield, to the delight of Lett, who made a rare appearance for the defending Intercity champions in his Olympic build-up.
“We had a good match, we were pretty consistent across the game, and we managed to score early and put a bit of scoreboard pressure, and we held on, so we’re pretty happy with it,” Lett said.
“Everyone played pretty well and especially our younger guys. It’s a big game for them, an Intercity semifinal. It’s probably the highest level they’ve played, and they rose to the challenge and did a good job.”
Dalefield will face Indians in Saturday’s final.
There was, however, disappointment for the Dalefield women after their bottom four semifinal with Tech Academy [Hawke’s Bay] was won by default.
