Varsity sure to make it tough for Dalefield

Dalefield is expecting no favours from University in their Wellington premier division women's hockey match at Clareville tomorrow
University will not only be keen to retain their position at the head of the points table but will also relish the chance to claim the scalp of the defending champions on their home territory.
Against them, however, is the fact they will be without their international players, including the incomparable Suzie Muirhead, but according to Dalefield coach Andy Wilson that's unlikely to be playing on their minds.
"They (University) are often without their internationals and they cope OK," he said. "They are a talented unit and you can never under-rate them."
Dalefield go into tomorrow's game on the back of a disappointing 5-1 loss to Eastern Hutt, but Wilson is hoping that defeat will be a blessing in disguise.
"We played badly and got what we deserved," he said., " You would think we wouldn't we able to play as poorly as that again. At least we know what will happen if we do!"
Dalefield will be missing three of their regular players in Janeen Bruce, Taasha Henson and Bobbie Gardiner tomorrow, but Wilson is optimistic that by moving Ana Playle and Katharine Wyatt into the forward line and again having Kate Harrington-one of the few to enhance their reputation last weekend-in goal the overall performance of the side won't be adversely affected.
Tactically, Dalefield will be looking to play the game at pace with the emphasis being on retaining possession for long periods.
"The best way to stop a team like University is to deny them the ball and that has to be the priority for us," Wilson said. "Do that and we could pull it off."
Dalefield men's coach Laurie Juno believes his side can be as good as any side playing in their Wellington premier division competition and he says tomorrow's game against second-placed Harbour City-Tawa will give them the chance to prove it.
"Obviously they will be the favourites but there's no reason why we can't them, Juno said. "If we play to our potential a win is on, no doubt about that."
With regular fullback Toby White not available tomorrow national age group rep Daniel Juno will move from the halves to cover for him and taking Juno's place will be another talented youngster in Marcus Eemry.
Laurie Juno says Dalefield struggled to defend their goal at penalty corners in their
4-1 loss to Hutt last weekend and with that in mind they would be aiming to keep the number of penalty corners conceded to an absolute minimum tomorrow.