GMC Green test YMP A mettle

GOING WIDE: YMP’s Maika Akroyd tries to take the ball past Cory Campbell of GMC Green in senior women’s hockey on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. YMP A won a tough game 2-1 after the scores were level, 1-1, at halftime. Picture by Paul Rickard

GMC Green provided the sternest test unbeaten YMP A have faced so far this season in the senior women’s hockey competition on Saturday. The two sides were locked at 1-1 at halftime in what has been described as a “great” game. YMP went on to win 2-1.

“The Green Machine scored early on and YMP equalised just before halftime,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

YMP had the bulk of possession and, therefore, the attack in the second half, and scored what turned out to be the winning goal at the back end of the second half.

“I would think GMC Green would be pretty happy they pushed them so hard,” Scragg said. “To my mind, it was a preview of our premier women’s final.”

In the other first division women’s match, Paikea beat Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa 4-0.

“Paikea played very well and led 2-0 at halftime,” Ngatapa coach Scragg said. “We could not put the ball away in the circle. It was good to see Paikea showing some good form.”

Gisborne Girls’ High School turned on a goal-fest against Emerre and Hathaway GMC Gold and scored eight times.

“It was the biggest win of the season for the students and it was good to see a smile finally on the face of their coach, Henry Mulligan,” Scragg said.

Men's gamesThe best of the men’s games was the match between Lytton Old Boys Masters and Gisborne Boys’ High School.

“It was nil-all at halftime and then the Masters scored one,” Scragg said. “Boys’ High responded, and the Masters scored the winner right on the 70th minute from a penalty corner. Well done, Boys’ High, for their part in a good contest.”

Scragg said it was good to see a bit of a comeback from LOB A in their tough match with THC, which THC won 4-0.

“To be able to contain them to just four goals spoke volumes about the LOB efforts on defence. But at the same time, the result indicates that THC — with YMP A — are still running a cut above the rest.”