Draw shows top four will be close

HOCKEY

honours were shared when Gisborne Girls’ High School and Ngatapa drew 1-1 in women’s club hockey last night.

Their A Grade match opened the latest weekend round of competition on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

“Amber Dental Girls’ High scored through Chloe Kapene in the first quarter and they held out a rampant attack from Ngatapa until just two minutes from time,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

A penalty stroke awarded to Ngatapa locked the game up.

“It was a good match and points to how close the women’s top four will be.”

The women keep up the entertainment from 6pm tonight, when last year’s women’s champions go head to head with this year’s standout team.

The match-up between GMC Green and YMP A promises to be a cracker.

“YMP are undefeated so far this year and must go into tonight’s match feeling the bigger pressure,” Scragg said.

“But GMC’s attack will need to be on song if they want to take the points.”

The men’s match tonight will give Gisborne Boys’ High School the chance to maintain their momentum when they take on YMP B.

“I think Boys’ High will look for back-to-back victories after they played so well against the Masters last weekend.

“But they will be wary of YMP B, who can pull a win out of the hat when required.”

Saturday action starts with Waituhi and Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits in the men’s match of the weekend at 12.30pm.

“It will be a good flow-on game for the Fruits after their momentous victory over YMP A last weekend.

“Depending on the result of tonight’s game between Boys’ High and YMP B, Waituhi could be fighting for a spot in the top three.

“I think the Fruits are showing they’re a strong side, and I think they will keep their momentum going.”

At 2pm Lytton Old Boys Masters play YMP A, and the Masters could be on the receiving end of a YMP backlash after their loss last weekend.

“It is very rare for the YMP A men’s side to have back-to-back losses,” Scragg said.

Te Aowera and GMC Kowhai meet at 3.30pm and the tempo of the game should suit both teams.

“Kowhai would go in as slight favourites, but the competition loves the determination of TA. They will give it everything.”

Waituhi and Paikea complete the round with a game starting at 5pm.

“That will decide who will stay undefeated in the women’s B grade,” Scragg said.

“Both have won all their games since the women’s competition split into A and B grades, but I think Paikea will be too strong.

“We wish Amber Church a good final game for Paikea before she heads away to umpire at the Tokyo Olympic Games.”