With seconds left, GMC had a chance to win it in a scramble near the YMP goal after a penalty corner, but they were denied. A few minutes earlier, YMP could have won it at the other end.
So it went to a shootout, from which GMC emerged 3-1 victors.
“It was a fitting finale to the women’s competition,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.
“It had elements of the skills of hockey right across the match, and going down to strokes kept the crowd on edge right to the end.
“Well done, GMC Green. It was well deserved.”
GMC skipper Jade Stafford said it felt “absolutely amazing” to take the title.
“Everything we have worked for this season came down to this game. We won for each other.”
It has been six years since GMC Green got their name on the trophy. YMP have won every year since.
“I’ve got no words other than it just feels absolutely amazing,” Stafford said.
She picked out goalkeeper Mandy Owen for special mention, particularly for her keeping in the shootout, and fullback Anahera Whaanga-Smith.
“Anahera is still at school. She played very well today.”
YMP captain Courtney Onekawa was pleased with the way her team played in the final.
“Two injuries did not help us,” she said.
“We’ve had our ups and downs this season, but I’m really proud of the girls for their efforts in the semifinal and final.”
Onekawa said she felt the shootout result was not a reflection of the game.
“Congratulations to GMC for winning it.”
The YMP A men’s team were, as expected, too strong for THC in their final, and the 6-2 scoreline underlined their dominant season.
Jereme Taylor was their chief destroyer with a hat-trick of goals.
“YMP started slowly, but once they got one goal, the goals kept flowing,” Scragg said.
“Well done to THC, though. They made them work for it.
“The results shows that consistent form wins out on most occasions. Well done, YMP.”
The B Grade men’s and women’s finals were clear-cut.
The men’s title went to Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits 4-0 against clubmates LOB Masters.
“The Fruits were up 2-0 at halftime and the Masters still had a belief they could peg the scoreline back,” Scragg said.
“But once it got to three goals in the third quarter, we knew it was going to be tough.
“It just goes to show that no amount of banter in the week leading up to the final makes a jot of difference in the game.”
There have been four different men’s B Grade champions in the past four years.
“That’s got to be good for the men’s competition,” Scragg said.
In the women’s B Grade final, GMC Kowhai were too good for GMC Gold and won it 5-1.
“It was a second-quarter blitz that made the difference,” Scragg said.
“All five goals were scored in that period. Kowhai had control of the match from then on.
“But credit to the Gold team, who got one goal of their own. They actually won the second half 1-0 . . . not the match, though, and credit must go to Kowhai.
“What a day for GMC hockey across the turf!”
• On Friday night, in a match held to give Gisborne Girls’ High School an extra game before their tournament, the students defeated JNL Paikea 3-1.
Finals scoring details — Women’s B Grade final: GMC Kowhai 5 (Anita Howard 3, Marlene Nikora 2) GMC Gold 1 (Rebecca Pepere).
Men’s B Grade final: LOB NZ Fruits 4 (George Searle 2, Ethan Rogers, Douglas McDermott) LOB Masters 0.
Women’s A Grade final: End of normal time YMP A 0 GMC Green 0. Shoot-out YMP A 1 (Dannell Tuhou) GMC Green 3 (Jade Stafford, Maika Akroyd, Shannon Williams).
Men’s A Grade final: YMP A 6 (Jereme Taylor 3, Heath Tupara, Kohere Tupara and Gareth Knox) THC 2 (Tamanay Tuhou, Danny Tuhou).
