Dalefield are intent on breaking their "duck" when they play Hutt in a Wellington premier division men's hockey match at Clareville tomorrow.
A series of mostly narrow losses sees Dalefield lying a distant last on the points table, but coach Craig Nielsen is optimistic they can upset a Hutt side which
sits in fourth place with two wins from their four games and which just last weekend defeated second placed University.
"Honestly, we've played well enough to win a couple of games ourselves and it's frustrating that we haven't actually done that," Nielsen said, "Being competitive is good but it's time we started winning, isn't it?"
Creating scoring opportunities has been no problem for Dalefield this season, but converting them into goals has. However, the acquisition of Josh Rogers should add sting to their attack tomorrow and Nielsen is expecting them to place sustained pressure on the Hutt defence.
"The onus is on the forwards to be more accurate in their finishing work," Nielsen said. "We need more goals, it's as simple as that."
Currently Northern lead the men's premier division series with 15pts, followed by Victoria University 12, Indians 10, Hutt 9, Harbour City-Tawa 5 and Dalefield 0.
It's a very different story for the Dalefield women's team in their Wellington premier division competition.
With three wins from their four games they have totalled 14pts and are three points clear of Indians on 11. Then come Eastern Hutt 10, Victoria University 8, Upper Hutt 6 and Harbour City-Tawa 2.
Having seven players from their squad away at a central region tournament in Taranaki with the Wairarapa under-18s means that Dalefield are somewhat depleted for their match with Victoria University at the National Hockey Stadium tomorrow.
Even so coach Kim Henson remains buoyant at their prospects of beating a University side which will be close to full strength.
"Obviously it's going to be a battle for us but we've managed to fill the gaps with some good players and I'm sure we'll do well," Henson said. "Quite honestly I think everyone is looking forward to the challenge??.we're not going down there to come second, that's for sure."
