Draw a nail biter

At close quarters: Michael Bond of YMP (2) tries to block a shot by Michael Ducros (left) of Lytton Old Boys Masters in men's hockey on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. YMP won the match 11-1. Picture by Liam Clayton

A gritty, nail-biting 1-1 draw between Ngatapa and Waituhi was the highlight of senior hockey at the weekend as competition newcomers Waituhi continued their splendid return season.

The two sides shared the honours in a hard fought bottom-four match.

“Waituhi took the lead in the third quarter and it took Ngatapa until the fourth quarter to reply,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Waituhi have shown they are in contention for a possible finals berth in the bottom-four competition.

“Ngatapa dominated the attack, but Waituhi worked off some big hits that put them through the Ngatapa defence.”

YMP bounced back strongly from their draw with GMC Green last weekend when they defeated Paikea 6-2.

Their score included a hat-trick to Maia Rickard and a brace to Micaylah Tamati.

“It certainly shows YMP are on track to try to make a top-four finals appearance in the women's competition,” Scragg said.

“Paikea scored early but that didn't deter YMP.

“They didn't go into their shell. They replied with two quick goals and dominated from there.”

GMC Green were too strong for Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School and confirmed their late-season form.

“The Green Machine are knocking on the YMP door to remind them that they are still contenders in the women's championship.

“It's good to see the Green Machine finding that sort of form because it sets us up for exciting semifinals and finals.”

In the other women's bottom-four match, GMC Kowhai defeated clubmates GMC Gold 3-1.

“Gold got out to an early lead in that game in the first five minutes, and it looked like an upset was on the cards,” Scragg said.

“But Kowhai came back at them and scored three goals in the second half.”

In the men's matches, YMP (2) beat Lytton Old Boys Masters 11-1, a scoreline that included five goals by the brilliant Tamanay Tuhou.

“That loss has ended the Masters' season and put the YMP (2) side up as possible favourites to take out the Covid Cup in the men's competition.”

YMP scored the double at the weekend when YMP (1) nudged LOB NZ Fruits 3-2 in an upset.

“What a change in fortunes for the Fruits from last week,” Scragg said.

“Is this maybe a sign they were showing some poker face ahead of the playoffs?”

: GMC Green 6 (Lee-Ana Fleming 2, Olivia Abernethy, Megan Allen, Caroline Maclaurin, Shannon Williams) Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School 1 (Tiari Pepere); YMP 6 (Maia Rickard 3, Micaylah Tamati 2, Courtney Onekawa) Paikea 2 (Kimberley Morete, Amber Church).

GMC Kowhai 3 (Charlie Brown, Anita Howard, Joanna Sim) GMC Gold 1 (Sam Bramwell); Ngatapa 1 (Briar Hunter) Waituhi 1 (Marlene Nikora).

YMP (2) 11 (Tamanay Tuhou 5, Tyler Phelps 2, Hamish Swann, Josh Cousins, Michael Bond, Gareth Knox) LOB Masters 1 (David Preddey); YMP (1) 3 (Jarrod Carter, Hylam Tukariri, Jereme Taylor) LOB Fruits 2 (Terry Thomas, Derek Watson).