Dalefield to defend spot against Kapiti

Dalefield are to be challenged for their spot in next season's Wellington premier division men's hockey competition after finishing at the bottom of the points table in the 2009 edition.
The top two sides in the division one grade were not eligible for a promotion-relegation match with Dalefield because of already having teams playing at premier division level and that left third-placed Kapiti with the chance to participate, and they have taken it up.
The game will be played at Clareville but exactly when has yet to be decided with both teams keen to find a date where they would be at full strength.
Dalefield coach Mark Fenwick is confident his players will be 'charged up" because of the prospect of their club losing the premier division status they have held for many seasons.
"None of them want to be part of a team which is relegated and I am sure they will do everything in their power to avoid it," he said.
Meanwhile who would have thought Featherston and Dalefield Black would be meeting in the final of the Wairarapa division one women's hockey competition at Clareville tomorrow?
They were the lower seeded teams in last weekend's semi-finals and both of them upset the odds, Featherston knocking out Dalefield Gold 4-2 and Dalefield Black upsetting the top ranked Red Star side 4-3.
Featherston's trump card is undoubtedly experienced centre half Tracey Donald, an ex-Wellington rep with the ability to score from anywhere in the circle. Kat Horsburgh is also a skilful and dangerous attacker, as is Fleur Jane, while the backbone of the defence are fullbacks Tania McDonald and Kath Saxton.
Dalefield Black have a handy mix of experience and youth.The wise heads at the back include goalie Paulette Hall, fullbacks Leanne Daley and Tania Tatana and left half Annemarie Nikoliason-all of whom are ex-Wairarap reps Youngsters Libby Monaghan and Emma Warren provide the speed up front and Meredith Gillies, Justine Robertson and Rochelle Retter add to the strike force.
The fact both Featherston and Dalefield Black play a similar style of open, attacking hockey should make for highly entertaining fixture and an encounter of the closest kind seems assured.
The men's division one final has the two top seeds Harlequins and The Workshop squaring off and while Harlequins have the better overall form The Workshop actually beat them in a preliminary round match just a couple of weeks back so nothing can be taken for granted.They will play at 1.30pm with the women's final following at 3.30pm.