Games picks spur Dalefield

Farriers Dalefield have plenty to celebrate with Dane Lett and fellow Wairarapa hockey star Megan Hull named in the Black Sticks squads for next month’s Tokyo Olympics.

That should be enough to motivate both teams for their vital home games against Hutt United this afternoon.

Lett will play today and in next Saturday’s away game with Harbour City before joining the national team.

The wait has been long for another of the men’s star players — player-coach Benedict van Woerkom — who will finally

have some significant game time since undergoing hip surgery in December, but he will be on restricted minutes.

Today’s game is Dalefield’s first for three weeks, and van Woerkom said the break was a good refresher and to a little bit of time away from hockey and now they can start to ramp things in the second round.

“We have few different tactics we will try out if we need, but if we do the basics well, it’s hopefully the right recipe for success,” he said.

“It’s the biggest game of the season at home for us, and they’re our biggest rivals over the past five or six years.”

Hutt won their first round clash 3-2. Hit off is 2pm at Clareville.

Farriers Dalefield women’s player-coach Katherine van Woerkom is keen to improve on their first round 0-3 loss to Hutt United.

“It’s a big game, not so much for the points but the mindset and confidence of the girls,” she said.

“This is the start towards the business end of the season, and this is when we want to be playing well — building our games, getting better, and I think having Hutt at home, it’s probably my favourite game of the year.

“They’re a very good team, and I’m looking forward to us being put under pressure for longer periods than what we have in recent games.”

Much of Hutt’s play is dictated by former Black Stick Aniwaka Roberts and the coach said it’s vital her players don’t get overawed and that they quickly shut down Roberts’ options.

Dalefield are at full strength for the game which starts at 12.30pm.