GMC Green and THC make finals,Persistence pays off for Te Aowera

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

THE top four teams in the men’s and women’s hockey competitions have rightly won their way through to the premier finals to be held on the LJ Hooker turf this Saturday.

THC marched through to join YMP A to decide the men’s championship when they despatched LOB A 4-1 last Thursday night.

Emerre and Hathaway GMC Green were likewise emphatic in their 5-nil victory over GMC Kowhai on Saturday afternoon, and they join the unbeaten YMP A outfit in the premier women’s final.

“The men’s final is what everyone has expected, given the performances of both YMP and THC this season,” said commentator Tony Scragg.

“THC were always probably going to be the only team that challenged YMP.”

In the women’s competition, YMP A have been in splendid form all season and always looked like finalists, he said.

“The Green Machine have had their ups and down this season but realistically, like THC in the men’s grade, they are probably the most deserving team to take that other premier women’s final spot.”

Scragg said it was pleasing to see Gisborne Boys’ High School get through to the B grade men’s final.

“It went to a shootout against YMP B, where the students outclassed their opposition.”

The women’s B grade final will be contested between Gisborne Girls’ High School and Paikea.

“Girls’ High were too good for Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa on the day last Saturday.

“They deserved their 2-1 win in what was a tense and exciting game,” Scragg said.

E and H GMC Gold will be joined by Te Aowera in the women’s C grade final.

“For TA to make that final, it just goes to show that persistence pays off.

“TA won their first match of the season on Friday night, after a string of draws, when they defeated YMP B in their playoff to decide th other C grade finalist.

“Well done to them.”

Detailed results from the playoffs Men: THC 4 (Tamanay Tuhou and Hylam Tukariri 2 each) LOB A 1 (Wesley Hampton).

THC meet YMP A in the premier final.

GBHS 4 (Devante Johnson, Brett Hockey, Micheal Ackroyd and Salu Ferrrere 1 each) YMP B 2 (Dylan Lardelli 2).

GBHS meet LOB Masters in the B Grade men’s final.

Women: Te Aowera 4 (Alex Smith-Tuhou 2, Erana Taiapa and Jade Baty 1 each) YMP B 1 (Amoe Tarsau). Decided on penalty shoot-out.

Te Aowera meet GMC Gold for the C grade final.

Gisborne Girls’ High 2 (Caitlin Candy and Brooke Morrison) Ngatapa 1 (Katie Herries).

GGHS meet Paikea in the B Grade final.

GMC Green 5 (Jordy Hardacre 2, Anna Ellingham, Anita Howard and Christine Rangi 1 each) GMC Kowhai 0.

GMC Green meet YMP A in the A grade women’s final.