Big win a warning to others

POP-UP SHOT: The ball pops up as Gareth Yaxley (right) of Lytton Old Boys A tries to block the progress of Gareth Knox of YMP A. Coming back to help is George Whitehead (left) of LOB A. These sides meet again at 7pm tomorrow. Picture by Liam Clayton

The hockey weekend should begin with a hiss and a roar tonight as the four teams in the lower section of the senior women’s competition go head to head, and the results could be just about anybody’s.

GMC Kowhai and YMP B play at 6pm tonight. Kowhai will be determined to hang on to their unbeaten status in the bottom four.

“The YMP B team’s 9-0 victory over Te Aowera last weekend will make Kowhai wary,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“I think Kowhai can stay undefeated, but they will need to be on their guard.”

At 7.30pm tonight, Te Aowera and GMC Gold have another crack at each other. With a win and a draw to show for their previous encounters, TA will ask themselves, “Can we win again?”

“GMC Gold will be determined to even things up and get the win, and I think they can do it,” Scragg said.

“With all due respect to the battlers TA, tonight’s game could be tough for them.”

The Saturday programme begins at midday tomorrow, with JNL Paikea and Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School in action.

“That should be a good close tussle,” Scragg said.

“Girls High will look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Ngatapa.

“It is a vital game for both teams in terms of where they finish ahead of the semifinals,” Scragg said.

“A win is important for both line-ups.”

At 1.45pm, Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa play the in-form GMC Green.

“It will certainly be a tougher day at the office for the Ngatapa girls,” Scragg said.

“The Green machine will be without some key personnel, but they have talent across the whole team, and will be hard to stop,” he said.

The senior men get to use the turf after that. At 3.30pm, YMP B and Lytton Old Boys B kick off their programme.

“YMP B would have to go in as favourites,” Scragg said.

“They have had a string of good results in the past month and have momentum.

“That should stand them in good stead for tomorrow afternoon’s game.”

At 5.15pm, Gisborne Boys’ High School and LOB Masters line up.

“Boys’ High will have an eye on finishing top of the senior men’s bottom four, and should be too quick for the Masters,” Scragg said.

The final match of the weekend promises to be one of the highlights, as championship contenders YMP A meet LOB A at 7pm.

“This a really big test for LOB A, given how well YMP A have been going,” Scragg said.

“Their two recent victories over THC have put YMP firmly in contention for the men’s championship.

“LOB A will have to start well and defend their hearts out to stand a chance of winning.”