Crunch games ahead on turf

On the attack: GMC Green's Amy England dribbles the ball as YMP's Courtney Onekawa looks to defend. GMC Green will look to win against YMP B as they play tonight at Harry Barker Reserve at 6.30pm. Picture by Liam Clayton

An even contest starts this weekend's hockey round when YMP B play GMC Kowhai in the women's competition on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve tonight.

YMP B will look to retain third place on the points table while Kowhai will look to add another win to the two they've achieved so far.

“YMP B will go in as slight favourites but when it comes to attack and defence both sides are even,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“It's one of those games where you could easily sit on the fence when it comes to a prediction.”

The game gets under way on the Hain Farming Turf at 6.30pm.

Friday night play starts at 6pm with the game between Waituhi and Paikea. The “Ladies in Pink” can be expected to rebound from their big loss last week.

“Points are vital for Paikea, and they will want to take them tomorrow night,” Scragg said.

“They'll be up against a Waituhi team who have the most vocal supporters. They will need them to be nice and noisy tomorrow night if they are to pick up the points.”

The second match tomorrow night has Lytton Old Boys Masters up against clubmates LOB HPY Advisors at 7.30pm.

“It's going to be a very defensive game for the Masters, and hopefully it will be a good run-out for the HPY side to sort out a few of their attacking combinations.”

But he said neither side would do the other any favours on the field.

On Saturday the action starts at 12.30pm, with the prospect of Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School playing Ngatapa, with only a point between them on the women's competition table.

Ngatapa go into it on 10 points, equal with Paikea, and Girls' High have nine points.

“This is a crunch game for both teams if they want to get a top-four finish,” Scragg said.

“I think Ngatapa should have enough to overcome Girls' High, but the students have proven in the past couple of weeks they can cause an upset.”

At 2pm, brave Te Aowera face up to the might of YMP A.

“That's set to be another one-way-traffic scenario,” Scragg said.

“The YMP women are all class, from the forwards to the backs, and we can expect a high score.”

At 3.30pm, Gisborne Boys' High School play Waituhi.

“That's definitely the game of the day in the men's competition,” Scragg said.

“The winner could seal a top-three finish, so both teams have a lot to play for.

“If Waituhi get all their regulars on deck, they will push Boys' High.”

The Saturday programme ends with the match between YMP A and YMP B in the men's competition at 5pm.

“Another version of one-way-traffic looms there,” Scragg said.

“Twenty-plus goals separated these two sides last time they played each other.

“So, go YMP B to cut that in half.”