Fantastic defence on turf last night

CLOSE GAMES: Ngatapa’s Lucinda Candy (left) and YMP’s Maia Rickard in action in Gisborne women’s hockey. Their teams were in close games last night, Ngatapa losing 2-1 to GMC Green, and YMP A beating Paikea 2-0. Picture by Paul Rickard

FANTASTIC defence was a feature of the two women’s hockey matches on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve last night.

Top teams YMP A and GMC Green struggled to beat less fancied opponents.

Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa lost 2-1 to GMC Green and JNL Paikea lost 2-0 to unbeaten YMP A.

The Green Machine scored their first goal just 30 seconds into the game.

Ngatapa coach Tony Scragg said his team equalised through a penalty corner and the score stayed 1-1 until the last five minutes of the game, when GMC scored the winner.

“The girls and I were very happy with that result . . . so close against a team as good as the ‘Green Machine’,” Scragg said.

“Ngatapa produced a huge defensive effort and I am proud of them.”

In the YMP-Paikea match both YMP goals were scored in the first quarter.

“It was another very good defensive effort by Paikea and it would have to be among their best results of the season, if not their best,” Scragg said.

“Perhaps last night’s results show that the women’s competition won’t be as clear-cut as might have been thought.”

In the other games, the Lytton Old Boys Masters goalscoring heroics against YMP A in their men’s game must rate as another highlight of the round.

YMP won well with nine goals, and principal among the scorers was Jarrod Carter, with six.

But the Masters scored five of their own against the best defensive team in the men’s competition.

“Granted, YMP had only eight players for the match, which made it more difficult for them, but the boys were stoked with our five goals,” Scragg said.

“YMP were up 6-1 at halftime but we pretty much dominated the second half. It was a really good effort.”

THC scored almost at will in their 14-0 win against Gisborne Boys’ High School.

Chris Fox was in superb form, with seven goals, and Tamany Tuhou banged in a hat-trick.

“Boys’ High played right to the end, though, and did not give up, which is to their credit,” Scragg said.

Sharon Bramwell played well in GMC Gold’s 2-0 win against Te Aowera.

“Gold welcomed Shazza back, with all her experience and considerable ability,” Scragg said.

LOB NZ Fruits and YMP B had a good close game, LOB winning 5-4.

“It was blow for blow as both sides fought hard for the win,” Scragg said.

“I am picking this will not be the last time those two teams meet this season. I reckon they will contest the senior men’s final.”

Scoring details —

Men: YMP A 9 (Jarrod Carter 6, Brendon Lennane 2, Kohere Tupara) LOB Masters 5 (Ben Fox 4, Gavin Kernohan).

THC 14 (Chris Fox 7, Tamanay Tuhou 3, Hoera Mohi, Hylam Tukariri, Tom Paterson, Dallas Kerr), GBHS 0.

LOB NZ Fruits 5 (Joel Gardner 3, David Preddey, Wade Manson) YMP B 4 (Jason Akuhata Brown, Nigel Udy, David Mackey, Te Rau Brown).

Women: GMC Gold 2 (Sharon Bramwell, Andrea Hills) Te Aowera 0.

YMP B won their game against Williams Transport Gisborne Girls’ High School by default.

Scoring details for the matches last night to follow.