YMP then outscored THC 4-2 — captain Kohere Tupara, Josh Cousins, Bond and Knox doing the damage — to win the shootout and their first premier title since 2014 when they won it jointly with THC in the last final to be played on grass.
“We knew THC were going to bring it today. Finals hockey is a different beast,” said Tupara.
“It was high-intensity stuff, back and forth all game, but we stuck at it. To win the title feels amazing and we will do some celebrating tonight; that’s for sure.
“I am so proud of the boys. For some of our young ones, it was their first championship win.”
The YMP A women were likewise made to work hard in their final against GMC Green.
A 2-1 win made it five consecutive titles for the A-team, with GMC the beaten finalists in all five.
YMP A started well and midway though the first quarter the competition’s leading goalscorer, Courtney Onekawa, put them in front.
The Green Machine replied with an Anita Howard goal in the second quarter and they went into halftime 1-all.
The third quarter was end-to-end stuff without a goal but midway through the last period Skylah Pohatu broke the deadlock.
YMP had to withstand plenty of pressure in the final quarter as GMC pressed hard, but they could not find an equaliser.
“It was a hard-fought game as usual and I am proud of the girls,” said YMP skipper Onekawa.“We have had an on-and-off season, with a few girls out with injury, so to come through and win the championship feels great.”
Onekawa was especially pleased with her team’s defence in the closing stages.
“They were so cool at the back. I’m really proud of them.”
GMC Kowhai won the B-Grade women’s title, beating YMP B 2-0 to deny YMP a title treble on the day.
“Kowhai were made to work for the win after the scoreline read 1-0 at halftime,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.
“YMP B had a few scoring opportunities but the GMC defence stayed solid. Most on the sideline expected a bigger scoreline, so credit to YMP B, who did not give in until the final whistle.”
Nicole Brown scored both goals.
Kowhai skipper Chrissy Popata-Tibble said it was “a fantastic way to finish the season”.
“Credit to our team of young’uns and a few oldies for the way they played together as a team. It was a brilliant result for us.”
Lytton Old Boys Masters took out the B-Grade men’s final 2-1 over Gisborne Boys High School.
“Boys High started the game at a roaring pace and a goal (to Matthew Pepere) put the Masters side on the back foot,” Scragg said.
Just before the end of the first quarter, the Masters levelled through Matt Skuse.
A Richard Searle goal midway through the third quarter put the Masters in front and the fourth quarter was full of attacking penalty corners as the students threatened to level it.
“But the Masters defenders managed to cut out every penalty corner the students threw at them to hold on and complete a great late-season comeback,” said Scragg.
