Felicity Reidy [left] is all determination to beat a Hutt United player to the ball. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
HOCKEY
CHRIS COGDALE
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MEN
Dalefield 7
Hutt United 3
A fast start set the tone for Farriers Dalefield’s big win over fierce rivals Hutt United at Clareville.
It only took a minute for the home side to score the opening goal when Olympic-bound Black Stick Dane Lett converted a penalty corner.
Lett added a second, and player-coach Benedict van Woerkom scored for a 3-0 lead after the first quarter.
Rowan Yeo, Craig Pankhurst, and Myles Houlihan got in the scoring action in the second quarter, giving the home side a 6-1 halftime lead. Yeo scored a second in the final quarter to complete a satisfying result for van Woerkom.
“In the first half, we played the best hockey we’ve played all season, and the goal now is to string it all together for four quarters,” he said.
“We eased off a bit, and the nature of the game it opened it up, and that suited Hutt, but it was an outstanding performance to put seven goals on them.”
Dalefield share the lead in the Wellington Men’s Premier Championship with Harbour City, who they play in a crucial match on Saturday.
WOMEN
Dalefield 2
Hutt United 2
Farriers Dalefield came from behind twice to earn a valuable draw in the Wellington Women’s Premier Championship.
In a closely contested game at Clareville, Hutt United took the lead in the first quarter, before former Black Stick Felicity Reidy equalised in the second period.
The visitors struck again in the second half and looked on target to claim all three points until three minutes from the end, when Emma Smith dived on a ball heading over the back line and knocked it in the goal.
Dalefield player-coach Katherine van Woerkom felt the score was a fair indication of the game.
“It wasn’t what I expected. Sometimes you can get over-hyped, but it was actually a calm game to play in,” she said.
“The girls did well, but we certainly have a lot more to offer, and that is quite exciting.”
Dalefield are fourth in the championship and will play third-placed Harbour City in a vital clash on Saturday.
