Flair play likely in GMC, YMP clash

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

by Scraggy

GMC Green know their A’s from their B’s but there could be the odd double take in their Poverty Bay women’s club hockey game tonight.

The Green Machine will be out to keep their unbeaten run intact when they face YMP B at 6pm on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

GMC have some classy players in the ranks but the inclusion of ex-YMP A players in their B side has added extra flair and that should be apparent.

YMP B go in on the back of a solid 5-3 win over GMC Kowhai while GMC Green put nine past Te Aowera without reply.

The 7.30pm game will feature a Gisborne Boys High side searching for their second win of the season when they take on Resene LOB Masters.

The students’ fitness will be tested as they are backing up from three games in Tauranga earlier in the week — including a win over Mount Maunganui College — but they have quickly sorted out their combinations so expect an avalanche of attacks in the Masters’ defensive circle.

Traktion LOB face their first real test of the season in Waituhi at 12.30pm tomorrow.

Waituhi enjoyed a 6-0 win over the Masters last week and will be keen to keep the momentum going.

The Patrick Ferry-led LOB, however, know how to find the back of the goal —  they have racked up 21 goals in two games so far — so their main test is likely to come in defence.

Waituhi will have plenty of sideline support to lift them.

It’s clubmate versus clubmate at 2pm when defending men’s champions YMP A clash with YMP B.

The A’s go in as red-hot  favourites and would be expected to rack up a fair few goals.

The B side have been blessed with numbers on the bench this season and no doubt they will be required, perhaps predominantly in a defensive capacity.

GMC Kowhai, after suffering a loss to YMP B women last week, tomorrow have the daunting task of taking on reigning champions YMP A at 3.30pm.

YMP have yet to find their goal-scoring best but their history speaks for itself. They can score quickly and from anywhere, which Kowhai could bear the brunt of tomorrow.

Paikea and Amber Dental GGHS end Week 3 of Poverty Bay club hockey at 5pm and it’s a game that could go either way as both sides are searching for their first win.

Paikea are likely to implement a woman-marking game plan —  especially at the back end of the game.

The students will continue to work on new combinations while looking to strike early.

If it comes down to the crunch, Paikea have the experience to grind out the tough ones.