Dalefield in gritty draw

A gutsy Dalefield squad picked up their first points of the 2012 season in the Wellington premier division men's hockey competition when they drew 4-4 with Victoria University at Clareville on Saturday.

Down 3-1 at halftime Dalefield hit back to level things up at 3-3 with two quick goals early in the second spell only for University to edge ahead 4-3 with time running out. However, Dalefield dug deep and a late goal earned them a well-deserved draw.

Considering the match was played on a pitch containing numerous puddles caused by persistent heavy showers the standard of play was remarkably high.

Both sides adopted a positive tactical approach and while the conditions demanded a greater number of passes took the aerial route than would normally be expected there was still an impressive flow about the way attacking movements were constructed.

The experience and guile of Andy Ewington both on attack and defence for Dalefield was invaluable. Defensively he made several valuable intercepts through his knack of being in the right place at the right time while his clever stickwork and assertiveness paid dividends on attack.

Centre half Daniel Van Woerkom impressed with his high workrate too, often emerging with the ball in crowded defensive situations and showing any amount of tenacity in his attacking play, something which could also be said of Dion Field and Joseph Robertson, who gave it their all up front.

They continually worried the University defence with their enthusiasm.

Field scored two of the Dalefield goals with the other two being netted by Ewington.

Interestingly three of the standouts for University, brothers Dane and Trent Lett and Hugh Taylor, all played for Dalefield last season. Junior Black Stick Dane Lett was especially prominent, regularly picking up loose ball and just as regularly breaking the first line of defence whenever he looked to run the ball back at his opposition.