Dalefield need tight defence against Indians

Dalefield coach Mark Fenwick believes his side are capable of putting Indians to the test in their Wellington premier division men's hockey match at Clareville tomorrow.
That despite the fact that Indians are sitting second on the table with Dalefield bringing up the rear in sixth position.
Fenwick accepts that if Indians are allowed to play their typical free-flowing, inventive style of hockey Dalefield will be hard pressed to keep the scoreline around the 8-3 loss they suffered the last time the two teams met. But, on the other hand, if they showed the same resolve as they did in their narrow 2-1 defeat by University last weekend a close contest was very much a possibility. Fenwick said a tight defence would be essential against Indians, who were the type of team prepared to launch attacks from anywhere on the field.
"They don't enjoy being restricted for long periods and that's what we have to do," he said. "We have to try and stop them from being expansive."
Dalefield will be without Todd Sugrue for tomorrow's game but returning to the fold is Geoff Ewington, one of their main playmakers who missed the University game through injury.
Clareville will also be the venue of the Wellington premier division women's hockey match between Dalefield and Eastern Hutt and here too the odds seem firmly against a Dalefield win.
Currently Eastern Hutt are top of the points table with six wins and two losses while all Dalefield have to show for their efforts thus far are two draws,
Dalefield can take encouragement though from their strong effort against Eastern Hutt in their first round clash when the latter won by 4-2 and they generally reserve their best efforts for their home turf.