“It is going to be another close battle,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.
“A win or a draw by Ngatapa will mean they claim third position on the premier women’s points table.
“It is going to be a tough game for both teams.”
Then at 7.30pm tonight, YMP A take on top-of-the-table GMC Green. Defending champions YMP will be out to re-establish their status in the women’s competition.
YMP won their first encounter 4-1 but then in their second match, in June, they drew 1-1, and GMC have looked the sharper side since then.
“This could be one of the games of the year,” Scragg said.
“These teams have the best attacking power in the women’s competition and both goalies will have their work cut out.”
Scragg would not be drawn either way on a likely winner.
The women own the turf tomorrow night, too, with Te Aowera playing YMP B at 6pm.
“YMP B would have to go in as huge favourites” Scragg said.
“Te Aowera have been brave in all their games, but YMP have a much better goal difference, so should win it well.”
In the second game, at 7.30pm, GMC Gold play GMC Kowhai.
“Kowhai are on top of the table,” Scragg said.
“They got a bit of a scare last week, but it was 6-1 to them last time they played Gold, and that’s a fair indication of the difference between them.”
The senior men’s grades have finished their round. In Division 1, YMP A lead, followed by THC then Lytton Old Boys A.
In Division 2, YMP B lead, followed by Gisborne Boys’ High School, LOB B and LOB Masters.
The Masters play YMP B at midday to start the Saturday programme, and the losers’ season ends.
“We have drawn with YMP once, but they have beaten us twice, so you would have to say they will go in as favourites,” said Scragg, who plays for the Masters.
“But the hockey gods might sway something the Masters’ way.”
At 1.45pm, LOB B take on Boys’ High.
“In recent games, LOB B have moved ahead as a team and they might have a slight edge over the students,” Scragg said.
“The students will be coming back from a week of hockey in the secondary school Super 8 competition.”
Then at 3.30pm, YMP A take on THC in the final men’s match-up and YMP go into it as firm favourites on the back of two solid victories over the defending champions.
“The winners go straight to the premier-grade men’s grand final and, on recent results, you would have to back YMP A to seal up that first finals spot,” Scragg said.
On Sunday, the women have their first playoff in a fourth-versus-fifth game in the premier division, and the losers end their season.
