Defending champs YMP A v arch-rivals LOB

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

A replay of the 2022 local men’s hockey grand final is on offer at Harry Barker Reserve tonight.

Defending champions YMP A take on fierce rivals Lytton Old Boys Traktion.

Their 7.30pm clash on the Hain Farming Turf promises to be one of the matches of the season.

“Both sides have been racking up big wins this year,” said hockey commentator Tony Scragg.

“Lytton Old Boys maybe have a defensive edge after their tough game against Waituhi last weekend, but they will need to be on song against the attacking flair of YMP A.”

Scragg said the key to victory would be the start to the game.

“Whoever gets set first will be hard to stop.”

The first game tonight promises to be an interesting affair, too, as the YMP A women’s side meet Paikea at 6pm.

“YMP A are undefeated this season, but haven’t really shown the attacking abilities we know of old,” Scragg said.

Paikea will be searching for their first win.

“Expect a close encounter — it could go either way,” Scragg said.

The weekend action started last night with YMP B up against Lytton Old Boys Resene Masters.

The result was not available when The Herald went to print.

Tomorrow’s programme begins with the clash between Gisborne Boys’ High School and Waituhi.

“Those two teams are quite evenly matched,” Scragg said. “Waituhi will try to use their experience against the younger team, but expect a different Boys’ High side from the one that struggled to get on top of the Masters last weekend.”

This game could be a pointer to the make-up of the top three as the men’s season developed, Scragg said.

“It will come down to these two teams to see who will match up with LOB Trakton and YMP A.”

The women own the turf for the rest of the afternoon, beginning with the Gisborne Girls’ High School-Te Aowera game at 2pm.

“Girls’ High should be too strong,” Scragg said. “But TA have shown some early-season spine, and they will make a game of it. The students will have to front up. These three points might be tough for them to grab.”

At 3.30pm, YMP B take on Zeafruit Ngatapa.

“This could be the women’s game of the round,” Scragg said.

“Ngatapa picked up a good win last week — back to back wins, in fact — but they meet a YMP B side who have turned heads with their results so far.

“This game could well be decided by a single goal.”

At 1pm on Sunday, GMC Green play GMC Kowhai to complete the round.

“The Green Machine should maintain their unbeaten record in this match,” Scragg said.

“They always show a bit of ‘courtesy’ to their clubmates, but by the same token, they will be determined to win it.”

Schools hockey results —

Secondary, Round 3: Campion 1st XI 5 (Charlie Brown 3, Phoenix Battin, Catherine Moles) GBHS 2nd XI 1 (Nikau Rudge); Whatatutu 8 (Aubrey Brown 2, Bree Thompson 2, Aimee Waimai 2, Kayden Brown, Errol Maclaurin) GGHS 2nd XI 0.

Intermediate: Ilminster Kea 0 Gis Int Wha 6, Gis Int Rima 2 Manutuke YMP 2, Gis Int Rua 0 Patutahi Taiohi 8, Campion MacKillop 6 TKKM Whatatutu 2, Gis Int Toru 0 Campion Marcellin 6, Gis Int Ono 5 Gis Int Tahi 0, Kaiti Toa 4 Ilminster Weka 0.