Dalefield after the perfect start

Dalefield will look for the perfect start to their Wellington premier division hockey campaign when both the men's and women's teams hit the turf at Clareville today.
The sides return to the league having seen out contrasting seasons last year, with the women finishing runners-up while the men found themselves rooted at the foot of the competition table.
However, the new season brings with it a host of fresh faces for the club.
Since going down to Eastern Hutt 3-1 in the 2006 decider the women's team have lost senior members, and sisters, Janeen Bruce and Tania Scott to retirement alongside a number of youngsters who have left town.
They also have a new coach on board in Rochelle Retter, who is the regional development officer for Wairarapa Hockey.
It will be a tough ask to continue their impressive record in the competition, having won it in 2002 and 2005, but they have the best chance to notch up a confidence-boosting win when they take on competition debutants Karori on Saturday afternoon.
"They've been promoted into the competition this year so we don't really know much about them right now," Retter said.
"We have a young side this year which its quite exciting and they're all very keen to get going.
"It's a total rebuilding year, given the average age in the squad is about 20, but the goal will still be to make the top four."
The squad features several students, Retter said, including 15-year-old livewire Jade Forman from Wairarapa College.
Dalefield men's side also have a few changes to their squad, with the most significant omission being national age group and Wellington senior representative Daniel Juno.
Juno has signed on to play this season with the Indians club and though his presence will be sorely missed, the side has managed to acquire the services of former Masterton man Camus Wyatt from rivals Victoria University.
Geoff Ewington will also make his return after breaking his hand last year.
But it will take a solid performance first up for the men to knock over title contenders Northern United, who only two weeks ago sent them packing 5-1 in a warm-up match.
Coach Mark Fenwick said his side was well prepared for the clash and the mood amongst the players had been "pretty positive" all week.
"We've had a much better build-up this year than previously so that's been useful," he said.
"It's a pretty hard competition, there's certainly no easy games in the grade and that's how it is playing premier grade hockey.
"Last year we played really well and still lost a lot of games 2-1 or 3-2 so we just have to push ourselves to that next level and make sure we don't let up."
The men get first strike on the Clareville Hockey Ground at 1.15pm, followed by the women at 2.45pm.