Several times they have gone through the nerve-wracking experience of promotion-relegation and survived to fight another day. Amazingly, the last time that happened was just 12 months ago.
The reason for the sudden transformation in fortunes has, of course, been well documented. Several ex-Wairarapa players who had left the province to live over the hill and joined clubs there decided it was time to give something back to Wairarapa hockey and so they came together to play under the Dalefield banner. Many of them had had previous ties with the club anyway.
Who though, would have anticipated the success of this venture to be so instant?
An exciting 5-5 draw in their opening game with Harbour City certainly indicated they could make a nuisance of themselves and heads were turned even more when their next two matches resulted in an 8-5 defeat of Hutt and a 12-3 walloping of Victoria University.
Suddenly they were true championship contenders and with nine more wins, a draw and just the one loss in their remaining preliminary round matches they went into last weekend's semifinals with a remarkable 13-point buffer at the top of the points table.
All that had gone before would have counted for very little had they lost that semi to Harbour City, and it was a close call. Three goals in the last 12 minutes saw Dalefield come from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
It wasn't one of their best performances but it sure took the cake for tenacity and resolve.
While a quick look at the form book might suggest Dalefield should start warm favourites to beat Indians in the competition decider, a more detailed study produces a somewhat different outlook.
Of all the premier division sides Dalefield have played this season Indians have given them the most bother. Dalefield won their first clash 6-2, the second was drawn 4-4 and just a couple of weeks back at Clareville Indians inflicted the first defeat of the club season on Dalefield by 4-3.
And, what's more, while there was only one goal in at the end the general consensus from the Dalefield camp was that Indians were deserved winners on the day.
As coach Willie Schaefer has often said over the past few months, when Dalefield are on a roll and playing anywhere near their potential they are virtually unstoppable.
That's the acid test for them come this Saturday and one thing is for sure, they'll leave no stone unturned to add the ultimate icing to the cake on what has already been one hell of a journey.
