Boys’ High confidence boosted

EYES ON THE BALL: Nancy-Rae Tarawa of YMP A takes the ball past Mollie Clarke of GMC Kowhai as Shelley Waide (at back) prepares to help out in women’s hockey at the weekend. Tarawa scored twice in an 8-1 win. Picture by Liam Clayton

HOCKEY

A DOUBLE hat-trick to THC’s Tam Tuhou, a win to Gisborne Boys’ High School against NZ Fruits Lytton Old Boys, and a thriller between YMP B and GMC Gold were highlights of the opening round of Poverty Bay Hockey competition at the weekend.

Boys’ High got their season off to the perfect start under new coaches Hanoa Morete and Tony Carpendale when they defeated the new-look NZ Fruits Lytton Old Boys 2-0.

Peter Kapene and Matthew Pepere slotted the winners for the students on Friday night on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

Hockey commentator Tony Scragg said it was a good confidence boost for the students to start their season, and the LOB side had some A Grade players in their squad.

“So Boys’ High did very well to beat them.”

Also that night, THC gave LOB Masters a rough start to the competition, beating them 10-1.

“The Masters were rapt to score against a team as good as THC, and despite the scoreline they played well,” Scragg said.

Tam Tuhou was in scintillating form and scored six goals.

“THC buttoned off in the second half but they have made an early season statement with that result.”

The match between GMC Gold and YMP B in the women’s competition lived up to expectations. It was the hardest-fought contest of the round, and Gold won it 5-4.

“YMP B got off to a good start with Mel Knight scoring early, and they were up 2-0,” Scragg said.

“Then GMC came back at them and that one-goal difference at the end shows just how close the lower grade will be in the women’s competition.”

In other matches, the winning scoreline for Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa against gutsy Te Aowera was held to 3-0.

“Good on TA for a brave start to their season,” Scragg said.

“That result might have been a reality check for the Ngatapa team.”

Defending women’s champions YMP A started their season with a hiss and a roar as they took apart GMC Kowhai to win 8-1.

“That shows why YMP are the defending champs and how tough they are going to be again this season,” Scragg said.

“Already it’s clear they will be serious title contenders again.”

Courtney Onekawa picked up a hat-trick in the match.

The YMP men completed the round and the A team beat their B team 15-1.

“It was a one-sided affair and the B side were lucky their A team allowed their defenders to play up front in the second half.”

Scragg said the win by Amber Dental Girls’ High against JNL Paikea was well-earned.

“The girls win completed a great start by both the high school teams this season.”

Results and scorers —Men: LOB Masters 1 (David Preddey) THC 10 (Tam Tuhou 6, Hylam Tukariri 2, Tei Mohi, Hanoa Morete); GBHS 2 (Peter Kapene, Matthew Pepere) LOB NZ Fruits 0; YMP A 15 (Kohere Tupara 5, Josh Cousins 4, Jeremy Taylor 2, Dylan Lardelli 2, Jarrod Carter, Gareth Knox) YMP B 1 (Joel Akroyd).

Women: Ben Holden Ngatapa 3 (Briar Hunter, Jessie McNeil, Alaina Vermeulen) Te Aowera 0; YMP A 8 (Courtney Onekawa 3, Nancy-Rae Tarawa 2, Mikayla Tamati, Toni Halley, Phoebe Bint) GMC Kowhai 1 (Anita Howard); YMP B 4 (Mel Knight 4) GMC Gold 5 (Jo Foster 2, Jess Candy, Caitlin Candy, Nimah Lee); Amber Dental GGHS 2 (Tiari-Awhina Pepere, Heni Thompson) JNL Paikea 0.