GMC Green take opening win, 5-0

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

First points in the Poverty Bay hockey competition went the way of GMC Green on the turf at Harry Barker reserve last night, but they had to wait until the final quarter to wrap it up.

The Green Machine scored the opening goal on the Hain Farming turf, three minutes into their game against Paikea.

But stout defence from Paikea kept them scoreless until the final period of the match, where they hit the back of the net four times to win 5-nil.

“Paikea dominated the second quarter but couldn’t score,” said hockey commentator Tony Scragg.

“GMC piled on the pressure in the third quarter but could not score, then they ran away with it in the final quarter.”

Scragg said Paikea did well to stay with GMC for much of the match.

“They defended very well, and credit to Kim Morete in that respect. She played outstandingly in defence for Paikea.”

GMC Green captain Jade Stafford told Scragg afterwards that credit had to go to her relatively new look side for the way they played.

“But we’ve still got a bit to work on,” she told him.

The Friday night matchups tonight have Te Aowera in action against GMC Kowhai from 6pm, and then at 7.30pm Ngatapa Zeafruit take on Gisborne Girls’ High School.