End-to-end action but no goals in women's hockey game

Protecting the ball: Lytton Old Boys Elliot St John (left) keeps the ball safe from YMP defender James Torrie. Picture by Paul Rickard

GMC Green and Ngatapa fought out a goalless draw in women's hockey on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve last night.

It was an end-to-end game with both teams producing scoring opportunities, but neither could capitalise.

“Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa dominated the last quarter and had a lot more circle-entry chances than INA Contracting GMC Green,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“But in the end both sides had to settle for a point each. That's the first time this season the Green Machine have been denied maximum points.”'

Paikea face a stiff challenge in the first of tonight's fixtures when they take on YMP A at 6pm.

“Last time they met it was a nine-goal win to YMP,” Scragg said.

“Looking at YMP's 10-0 victory over Ngatapa last weekend it's fair to expect a similar sort of result tonight.”

The second match on the Hain Farming Turf tonight features YMP B in action against Te Aowera.

“In their previous encounter, YMP B won3-0, but that was when they were on their red-hot surge at the start of the season,” Scragg said.

“TA have grown in stature since then, and will look to get one back at them.”

There will be three games on the turf tomorrow, starting at 12.30pm with a match-up between Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School and GMC Kowhai.

“The students beat Kowhai 5-2 last time out, one of their best results of the season so far,” Scragg said.

“They will use that as motivation to pick up maximum points tomorrow.

“On the other hand, a win for Kowhai would see them sitting at the top of the bottom-five women's table.”

The men take over after that. At 2pm Waituhi meet HPY Advisors Lytton Old Boys.

“These are just friendly games for the men, pending the start of their playoffs next weekend,” Scragg said.

“Lytton Old Boys will be glad to come up against opposition like Waituhi when they have the daunting task of taking on YMP A next weekend.”

At 3.30pm the weekend's play ends with another “friendly”game between YMP A and YMP B.

“YMP A will take no prisoners I'm sure,” Scragg said.

“I expect to see them continue the dominance they have shown this year.”

The game between Gisborne Boys High School and the Masters was called off with the students about to head to Palmerston North for the Super 8 secondary schools competition.