Possession the key says Dalefield coach

Dalefield men's hockey coach Mark Fenwick says retention of possession will be vital if his side are to be competitive in their Wellington premier division men's hockey match with Hutt at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.
Many of the 35 goals scored against Dalefield so far this season have come from counter attacking movements launched well inside the opposition's half and caused by ball being given away through loose passing.
"Just about every team you play at this level have the skills and the speed to capitalise when you lose possession. We have been doing that too often" Fenwick said. "We have to be tighter on and around the ball."
Fenwick also wants his side to show more cohesion in their defensive play although he said the second half effort against competition leaders Indians last week did suggest they were on the right track in that respect.Indians led 6-0 at halftime but managed just two more goals in the second goals.
"I know the cynics will say any team which is six goals up at the break will probably ease off a bit in the second half but that doesn't happen at this level of hockey," Fenwick said. "Six can become 12 very easily when teams like them (Indians) are on a roll."
Hutt don't have the attacking flair of Indians but their second placing on the points table is a clear illustration of their strength and Fenwick respects them as a side who have few obvious weaknesses. "We do tend to play well against them though so an upset isn't entirely out of the question," he said.
The Dalefield women are bracing themselves for a torrid, physical encounter when they also play Hutt in a Wellington premier division match at the National Hockey Stadium tomorrow.
"We know it will be pretty much no holds barred as far as they are concerned", Dalefield coach Rochelle Retter said.. "It's not pretty hockey but it can be effective if you let them get under your skin."
Retter said there was general disappointment in the Dalefield squad after their 4-2 loss to Indians last weekend with the players well aware they had let themselves down with a lethargic display. "Everybody agreed it was a poor game, it was a good wake up call for us," she said.
The return of promising youngsters Chloe Stevens and Libby Noema after being on duty with the Wairarapa under-16s should aid the Dalefield cause tomorrow. Stevens has been a revelation in the fullback role with her soundness on defence while Noema adds punch to a forward line, already boosted by the news that the experienced Jodi Graham is now available on a regular basis.