Fascinating matches ahead for supporters

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

ROUND 6 of the senior hockey competition over the next three days throws up some fascinating contests, none more so than the women’s game between GMC Kowhai and YMP A tonight.

Unbeaten YMP are set to take on an emerging threat in the competition.

“Kowhai have played some excellent hockey so far in their first year in the competition and they could give YMP a bit to think about tonight,” commentator Tony Scragg said.

The match starts at 7.30pm.

“It will be the first really big challenge of the season for both sides,” Scragg said.

“But looking at current form, you would have to back YMP to win it, although I suspect they will be made to work for it.”

In the men’s match on the LJ Hooker turf tonight at 6pm, Lytton Old Boys Masters will seek their third victory of the season when they play Gisborne Boys’ High School.

“Boys’ High are so far winless but it is only a matter of time before they click and start winning,” Scragg said.

“They have grown in stature as a team from their first-round loss to Masters.

“Brett Hockey will be the key factor for the school team tonight.

“He plays midfield and is a vital link between defence and attack.”

The Friday night games pit GMC Gold against Te Aowera at 6pm and it will be a close affair.

“It could be the closest game of the round,” Scragg said.

“I think Gold will come through but TA will go all out to get their first win of the competition.”

The match between GMC Green and Paikea at 7.30pm tomorrow will have plenty of sting in it too, as Paikea start to show some form.

“But the Green machine will want to stay in touch with YMP’s top team and they will go all out to secure the vital three points to do that,” Scragg said.

In the three games on Saturday, Lytton Old Boys A and THC take centre stage at 1pm in what should be the game of the round.

“I see THC on top there but it will be a close tussle,” Scragg said.

“LOB A have managed their midfield really well in the games they have played so far, but have lacked the finishing touches.

“I am sure that will be an area of focus for them on Saturday.”

The YMP A men’s team should completely outgun their B team in their match at 2.45pm.

The women’s match between Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa and YMP B that completes the round at 4.30pm on Saturday should go the way of the country team,

“Ngatapa would go in as slight favourities but they will need to play well to win it.”