Busy week ahead for hockey

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Four nights of intense hockey action lie ahead next week as eight teams vie for places in Gisborne's club finals.

Due to the Alert Level 2 restrictions on gatherings, one playoff game will be played on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve each night from Monday.

The permitted crowd numbers may change if the Government relaxes restrictions next week.

The week's action starts at 6.30pm on Monday, when YMP and Gisborne Boys' High School play off to decide who joins Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits in the A Grade men's final next weekend.

“YMP have dominated their games against Boys' High all season and would go in as slight favourites because of that,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“But the youth and enthusiasm of Boys' High could be a telling factor.

“Whatever happens, both teams know the winners will face a tough task against LOB next Saturday.”

At the same time on Tuesday night, Waituhi and Te Aowera take the turf to decide who goes through to the women's B Grade final against Paikea.

“The Waituhi women would be the favoured team in that clash, but who would have thought Te Aowera would still be in the running in the competition in September. Well done to them.

“Te Aowera will make Waituhi work for it and I reckon all the pressure will be on Waituhi to perform.”

On Wednesday night, the LOB Masters go up against YMP B for a spot against Waituhi in the B Grade men's final.

“All season it has been a ‘them and us' situation between those two teams, with both scoring victories over each other.

“Last time it was a draw, and that could be an indication of what's in store.

“This could be our closest game of the week.”

The final playoff game, on Thursday night, pits GMC Green against Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School for the right to join YMP in the A Grade women's final.

“The Green Machine would be heavily favoured to win that game,” Scragg said.

“Girls' High will make a game of it, for sure, but their opponents will be very keen to get the chance to defend their women's title.

“Bear in mind, though, that it was just 2-1 to GMC last time they played the students, so perhaps it's not such a done deal after all. We shall see.

“Across all four games it will be an exciting week leading up to the championship finals next Saturday.”