The Capital hockey team has tasted success, defeating a strong Midlands team 2-1 in the National Hockey League final.
Capital had earned their finals slot following a gruelling semi against Auckland that was decided 8-7 in Capital's favour after a sudden-death strokes play-off.
Meanwhile, Midlands had beaten North Harbour to make the
final, which was played in Albany on Sunday.
The final was a close encounter, the scores being locked at 1-1 at half-time after Capital had taken the lead courtesy of the Black Sticks' Joel Baker.
Matt Young, out of Otago but now playing for Wellington, slotted the winner in the second period.
Dalefield players Jesse Workman and Dane Lett were included in the Capital squad that contested the final. Workman was rotated as a striker while Lett was on the reserves bench and keen to add a national league medal to the U21 title he had already won this year.
"The whole tournament was brilliant," Workman said. "We were a tight-knit bunch of guys and the team spirit was outstanding. We worked our socks off for each other."
The Capital team had relied exclusively on home-grown talent and was the only team in the top three not to use imported players, adding kudos to their success.
