A strong showing is expected from Wairarapa at the Hatch Cup national under-13 boys hockey tournament in Christchurch next week.
Form in pre-season games suggest an improvement on last year's seventh placing is likely in the 24-team competition with coach Kerry Hare pleased with the improvement made from game to game.
At a recent tournament in Blenheim Wairarapa drew 2-2 with Wellington, beat Marlborough 5-2, beat Nelson 7-0 and lose to Canterbury 0-3 while at a similar competition in Manawatu they beat Hawke's Bay 3-0 and Manawatu 3-0. Last week they defeated Horowhenua 3-1.
Hare said these matches had proved Wairarapa's ability to score goals while maintaining a tight defence.
Wairarapa is drawn in the same pool as Taranaki, Manawatu, Thames Valley, Bay of Plenty and last year's finalists North Harbour.
