HOCKEY
THE hockey round this week promises to produce some enthralling contests and none more so than the round opener tonight between GMC Green and Ngatapa in the top four of the women’s competition.
Several other games this weekend look set to be close affairs as well.
“It’s a quick five day turn around for both sides tonight,” said hockey commentator Tony Scragg.
“Last weekend the Green Machine beat Ngatapa 3-1 and the Ngatapa aim tonight is to try to right that result.
“However, Ngatapa are well aware how tough the Green Machine will be.
“I expect there will be only a few goals in it again this time around.”
That match gets under way at 6.30pm tonight on the Hain Farming turf at Harry Barker Reserve.
Friday night hockey offers two cracking games as well.
YMP will provide a real test of the mettle of the Amber Dental Girls’ High side at 6pm tomorrow night.
“This is now top-four hockey for the students, so they will have to expect a real match against the competition’s best.
“YMP are so strong, undefeated this year, but the students will go out and do their best against them.”
At 7.30pm tomorrow Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits will offer the same test to Gisborne Boys’ High School.
“The Fruits proved last week they have no issues on attack, but Boys’ High might test out their defence.”
The students scored four goals against YMP A last weekend.
The Saturday programme begins at 12.30pm with YMP B in action against the LOB Masters.
“That should be a good close run between those two teams.
“This men’s games this weekend will be the closest we’ve had so far this season,” Scragg said.
“YMP were on a hiding to nothing against the Fruits last weekend. They will relish opposition of the same calibre.”
The show rolls along at 2pm Saturday when YMP A take on Waituhi in the men’s competition, potentially the game of the round.
“I think all the pressure is on YMP A to keep their recent form intact.
“If there is a team to beat them Waituhi could be that team.”
At 3.30pm Te Aowera and Paikea take the turf.
“That will be a good start for Paikea in the bottom four.
“They will want to stamp their mark and authority on that section of the competition early.”
The play ends for the weekend from 5pm on Saturday when Waituhi meet GMC Kowhai.
“When they met in round one it was a one-nil win to Kowhai.
“So we could not ask for a better game to end the week’s play,” Scragg said.
“I pick a Waituhi upset.”