Girls’ High ‘make a statement’

GOAL PROTECTED: GMC Green goalkeeper Mandy Owen saves from Ngatapa’s Emily Willock in senior women’s hockey on Saturday. In the background is GMC’s Alesha Batisaresare. GMC won the match 5-0.Picture by Liam Clayton

HOCKEY

They may have lost to defending women’s hockey champions YMP A last weekend, but Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School made a statement with the 4-3 scoreline.

The match was closer than commentator Tony Scragg expected, and he said great credit should go to the students for the way they competed against the top women’s side.

“It was a brave effort by the girls,” he said.

“YMP led 4-1 going into the final quarter but the students banged in two goals to make for an exciting finish.

“The comment was made to me afterwards that if there had been a couple more minutes to play they could have equalised, or even won it.

“Good on Girls’ High — what a statement!”

The other close match-up last weekend was between GMC Kowhai and GMC Gold.

“The 3-2 scoreline in Kowhai’s favour was indicative of how close the contest was,” Scragg said.

“I have been quite impressed by how Gold have been tracking this year. They looked good again last weekend and here’s hoping they can keep that up.”

GMC Green beat Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa 5-0.

“The five goals all came in the first half; the Green Machine were on fire,” Scragg said.

“But credit to Ngatapa for the way those girls held their defensive structures and kept out GMC in the second half.”

In the other women’s match, YMP B beat a gallant Te Aowera side 4-0.

“It was nil-all till moments before halftime,” Scragg said.

“Te Aowera had competed well, but in the second half the game got away from them after two more quick goals by YMP.

“It was always going to be hard for them after that.”

The men’s matches were all decided by healthy scorelines in favour of THC, YMP A and Lytton Old Boys A.

THC scoring machine Tamanay Tuhou continued on his frenetic goalscoring way, scoring six times in his team’s 10-0 romp over YMP B.

“It’s certainly another indicator of THC’s stature in the competition this season,” Scragg said.

“The defending men’s premiers are going to be a very tough team to beat.”

YMP A were comfortable 8-0 winners against Gisborne Boys’ High School.

“Boys’ High kept them scoreless in the first quarter but then YMP clipped up a notch and took charge,” Scragg said.

“Injuries to some of the Boys’ High players did not help their cause.”

LOB A played a well-constructed game to beat LOB B 8-1.

“It was good to see the top Lytton Old Boys team back on track and scoring some good goals. That should help their momentum.”

Scoring details — Men: YMP A 8 (Jereme Taylor 2, Mike Bond 2, Josh Cousins 2, Kohere Tupara, Gareth Knox) GBHS 0.

LOB A 8 (Derek Peach 3, George Searle 2, Cole Williams, Neal Ebbett, Alex Mayhead) LOB B 1 (Cole Manson).

THC 10 (Tamanay Tuhou 6, Chris Fox, Hylam Tukariri, Piri Orotaunga, Hanoa Morete) YMP B 0.

Senior women: YMP A 4 (Kristie Brown, Courtney Onekawa, Nancy Tarawa, Shauna Jane) Amber Dental GGHS 3 (Oaklea Bowden-Morris 2, Jessie Kapene).

GMC Kowhai 3 (Nicole Brown, Shelley Waide, Juliarna Mitchell) GMC Gold 2 (Sharon Bramwell, Andrea Hills).

GMC Green 5 (Kelsey Teneti 2, Anita Howard, Jade Stafford, Anahera Whaanga-Smith) Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa 0.

YMP B 4 (Kellann Kemp 2, Cynthia Fleming, Mel Knight) Te Aowera 0.