Game of the year ends in a draw,YMP and THC battle to draw in top game so far

REMORSELESS: The top senior women's side YMP A march on unbeaten in the hockey competition. They conceded their first goal of the season against Gisborne Girls High on Saturday afternoon, but scored six of their own. Here YMP's Skylah Pohatu looks to move the ball on as Caitlin Candy challenges. Picture by Paul Rickard

THE top YMP men’s team and THC fought out a gripping 3-3 draw in senior hockey on Saturday in what was regarded as the best men’s match of the season to date.

It was a contest that was always going to be a fitting finale to the seventh round of the competition.

“It was no doubt the game of the round and the best men’s match so far,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Both sides gave it everything and more cards were dished out than in a game of poker.”

YMP led 2-1 at halftime and THC scored a minute into the second period to level it. Then they traded goals again before the final whistle.

Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa took the points over Paikea on Saturday afternoon, the Scragg-coached Patutahi team winning 2-1.

“It was a gutsy effort by the girls against a Paikea team who have been really finding their feet lately . . . a terrific result.

“It was 1-1 at halftime and we scored the winning goal about halfway through the second half.”

All Paikea in final 10 minutesIt was all Paikea in the final 10 minutes but Ngatapa held them out.

The other standout results were GMC Kowhai’s 1-0 win against GMC Gold in a women’s game and the 1-1 draw between LOB Masters and YMP B in the men’s competition.

“Well done to the Gold team; they defended so well,” Scragg said.

“The Masters were happy with their draw.

“Both sides had chances to win it and it was close throughout.”

In other games, GMC Green outclassed YMP B and scored 10 goals doing it.

“It was another clinical display by the Green Machine,” Scragg said.

LOB A were too good for Gisborne Boys’ High School, winning 7-0.

“Again, ‘clinical’ would be the word, and the result puts LOB A back on track,” Scragg said.

YMP A defeated Gisborne Girls’ High School 6-1.

“Give credit to Girls’ High,” Scragg said.

“They can lay claim to being the only team to crack the YMP women’s defence this season. Well done.”