Lett intent on proving worth

Dane Lett will continue an already memorable season when he is in the Capital squad which takes on the Central Mavericks late Sunday afternoon in the first-ever national men's hockey league match to be played at Clareville.
For Lett, 19, the game follows hard on the heels of his debut for the Junior Black Sticks in a four-test series against Malaysia under-21s in Dunedin at Queen's Birthday weekend, a series in which the Kiwis took the overall honours.
They finished with two wins, one draw and one loss, with Lett playing in all four games, usually in his preferred position of centre half.
With Malaysia having pushed its Aussie counterparts hard in two tests before arriving in Dunedin, they were never going to be easy-beats, and so it proved.
"They were pretty quick and skilful. You could never take anything for granted against them,"
Lett said, adding he was "happy enough" with his own form. "You always want to play better but I guess it was a good start."
Lett was a newcomer in the Capital squad when they won the national league title last year but, while he sees them as serious contenders for a repeat in 2011, he is quick to emphasise there is one crucial difference to consider in assessing their prospects on this occasion.
Preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi meant the Black Sticks were not available last year but they will be there in numbers this time and that will make teams like Auckland and Midlands even more difficult to head off.
Mind you, Capital are not exactly short of Black Sticks either, with Blair Hilton, Matt L'Hullier, Steve Jenness and Kyle Pontifex all members of the current lineup and Lett, who makes no secret of his own ambitions to play for his country at the very top levels, is relishing the chance to play alongside players of their quality.
"You can learn so much by just watching how they go about things. They give a lift to the whole team."
Lett expects L'Hullier, who is regarded as the best exponent of the drag flick in New Zealand, and Jenness, a striker known for his finishing ability, to spearhead a Capital attack. The side, chockful of scoring potential, also includes Wairarapa's Jesse Workman.
"You wouldn't think goal scoring would be a problem. We've got so many players who can shine in that respect."
That Capital will start firm favourites to beat Central Mavericks is guaranteed, but Lett isn't among those expecting it to be one-way traffic, and wisely so when you scrutinise the composition of their squad.
Highly-rated Nick Wilson, who has close Wairarapa connections, is one of three Black Sticks in their team and they also have a number of Junior Black Sticks.
Just where Lett will play his hockey in 2012 will depend on the advice the sport's hierarchy gives him.
He is enjoying being in the Dalefield team contesting the Wellington premier division club competition but admits the time could come when he is encouraged to move to a bigger centre to further advance his skills.
"Honestly, I can't say what will happen," he said. "We'll just wait and see what the future brings."