Epics follow one after the other

GMC Kowhai’s Krissy Hohepa moves the ball as a Paikea player attempts to take it. GMC Kowhai are playing Te Aowera tonight at 7.30pm.Picture by Liam Clayton

Hot on the heels of the Lytton Old Boys top team’s triumph over defending men’s champions YMP A came another anticipated epic last night.

GMC Green versus YMP A was the opening game of the weekend’s hockey action.

Hockey commentator Tony Scragg had the unenviable task of making a prediction that would appear after the game had been played.

He had a go anyway.

“I was expecting another close contest, potentially another hard-fought draw between two evenly matched teams,” Scragg said.

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“I’m stretching my neck out a bit on that because I don’t have a crystal ball.

“But previous results between the Green Machine and YMP A this season indicate it should be a tight one.”

The outcome will probably headline the hockey wrap in the paper next week.

Tonight’s fixtures begin at 6pm when PGG Wrightson Ngatapa share the Hain Farming Turf with YMP B.

“An interesting match, this one,” Scragg said.

YMP B picked up a 1-0 victory on Tuesday night against GMC Kowhai in a catch-up game.

“So competition points are now vital for both teams,” Scragg said.

“They will both be out to win it.”

At 7.30pm tonight, GMC Kowhai and Te Aowera front up.

“Kowhai might start as slight favourites after they really pushed YMP B on Tuesday night,” Scragg said.

“But a single goal might be all that separates them.”

Saturday’s programme begins at 12.30pm with Gisborne Girls’ High School against Paikea.

“That’s a great game in prospect,” Scragg said.

“Paikea won last time they met, but the students will be looking to square the ledger and get one back.”

The men own the turf after that.

At 2pm it will be YMP A versus LOB Masters.

“One-way traffic expected there in favour of YMP A,” Scragg said.

“They will look to bounce back hard from their loss to LOB Traktion, and the Masters will be on the receiving end of that backlash.”

The 3.30pm match-up has LOB Traktion against Gisborne Boys’ High School.

“LOB will still be running on high octane after their win against YMP A, and Boys’ High might have the opportunity to catch them unawares.

“But having said that, the LOB team are playing well, and they have all the form at this point of the season.”

The final game this week, at 5pm tomorrow, will see Waituhi take on YMP B.

“Waituhi should be too strong and should win by a healthy margin,” Scragg said.

A feature this weekend will be switch in playing kit between the Lytton Old Boys teams and Paikea.

The LOB teams will be playing in the pink strip of Paikea, and the Paikea teams in the blue of LOB.

“It’s around mental health messaging,” Scragg said.

“For the guys it’s about what women mean in their lives, and vice versa. . . supporting each other with mental health and wellness.”

“ In case you’re wondering about sizing, specially ordered playing shirts have been obtained.”