Dalefield confident of upsetting Eastern Hutt

Dalefield women's hockey coach Andy Wilson is adamant his side can beat Eastern Hutt in their Wellington premier division semi-final match, in Wellington, on Saturday.
That despite the fact past history suggests Eastern Hutt deserve to start firm favourites.
In the first of four meetings this season Dalefield beat Eastern Hutt 5-2, but the next three games have seen a 2-2 draw and then two comfortable wins to Eastern Hutt, the first by 5-1 and the second by 4-1.
Wilson recalled the 5-1 win as a match being dominated by the brilliance of Eastern Hutt's Black Stick Ninea Roberts, who is currently sidelined by injury, while the 4-1 result was "just one of those games where nothing goes right".
"They (Eastern Hutt) are a very good side, but we certainly don't have any reason to fear them," Wilson said. "If we play well, we can win, it's as simple as that."
Dalefield, the defending champions, are at their most dangerous when they are moving the ball wide, with the idea of utilising the speed and skill of outstanding forwards, Elizabeth Perry and Ana Playle.
So it's no surprise their tactical approach this weekend will revolve around them doing exactly that.
"We won't be sitting back and waiting for things to happen, we'll be looking to take the game to them," Wilson said. "The whole season depends on this result, so there's no point in going all defensive, is there?"
At the same time however, Wilson agrees that Dalefield won't prevail if there are any leakages in their defence.
Eastern Hutt have a superb playmaker in ex-international Lisa Bishop, and if Dalefield give her time and space to call the shots, then they will be in trouble.
Wilson said moves to nullify Bishop's influence would be taken by Dalefield, and he agreed the success of them could have a big part to play in which of the two sides make the grand final.
"She (Bishop) is a key figure in their game plan, and if our defence isn't up to scratch she'll make us pay," he said.
It is in Dalefield's favour that Wilson has his full squad to choose from on Saturday, with the experienced Janeen Bruce having returned to the fray after an enforced lay-off last weekend
A likely starting line-up is: Bobbie Gardiner, Alice Davies, Laura Crawford, Taasha Henson, Wendy Hull, Olivia Pearce, Janeen Bruce, Katherine Wyatt, Nicola James, Ana Playle, Elizabeth Perry. Subs: Jesse Davies, Courtney McGregor, Rachel Dent, Carla Burt.