Green Machine win turf thriller

TOP-OF-THE-TABLE WAR: YMP's Courtney Onekawa attempts to knock the ball away from GMC Green's Amy England. GMC won this thriller 2-1 and ending YMP's dominate unbeaten run. Picture by Liam Clayton

THE Green Machine produced the result of the weekend in hockey, ending the unbeaten run of YMP (1) in a hard-fought contest at Harry Barker Reserve.

INA Contracting GMC Green won the top-of-the-table premier women's contest 2-1 in a thriller on the Hain Farming Turf.

“It was nil-all at halftime, with the game played predominantly in the middle of the field,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“GMC scored twice in the second period, and YMP pulled one back later.

“That was the result of the season to date, and will give GMC the mental edge moving forward this season.”

The best of the men's games was fought out between Lytton Old Boys HPY Advisors and Gisborne Boys' High School, and LOB got home 3-1.

“It was nil-all at quartertime, then LOB scored halfway through the second quarter,” Scragg said.

Boys' High replied on the stroke of halftime to tie it up, but two goals in the final quarter secured the LOB victory.

“Boys' High should be proud of that performance,” Scragg said. “They really pushed their opponents all the way.”

In the other women's matches, Ngatapa beat YMP B 8-1.

“Ngatapa were up 6-0 at halftime,” Scragg said.

“But it looked like they took their foot off the pedal in the second half, which is something they will have to watch.”

Paikea likewise outclassed Te Aowera, 10-0 the scoreline.

“Jo Cumming scored six times in a player-of-the-match performance and led from the front,” Scragg said.

GMC Kowhai settled the contest at the bottom of the women's table, beating Waituhi 6-0, four of the goals being scored by Jo Sim.

“It was a great result for Kowhai, and it topped off a great weekend for the GMC club,” Scragg said.

“They thoroughly deserved that victory.”

The YMP A men's team defeated LOB Masters 19-0.

Scragg said the Masters were just happy to keep the score under 20.

“YMP A will go in as favourites against the Advisors this weekend if they play the style of hockey they produced against the Masters.”

In the final men's game of the weekend, Tei Mohi scored a hat-trick as Waituhi defeated YMP B 7-0.

“It was a great win for Waituhi, their first of the season,” Scragg said.

“That is something for them to build on.

“Credit to YMP B, who were initially short on numbers, but then got sufficient players to keep the score respectable.

“Their goalkeeper, Colin Richardson, had an outstanding game for an old fella.”

Results —

Women: Ngatapa 8 (Olivia Abernathy 2, Kate Pahina 2, Sinnead Flannery, Briar Robb, Viv Macpherson, Elise Levy) YMP B 1 (Leah Tupara); YMP A 1 (Nancy Tarawa) INA Contracting GMC Green 2 (Tori Wharepapa 2); Paikea 10 (Jo Cumming 7, Joanne McLean 2, Bronwyn O'Reilly) Te Aowera 0; GMC Kowhai 6 (Jo Sim 4, Briar McLeely, Raukura Maxwell) Waituhi 0.

Men: LOB Masters 0 YMP A 19 (Jereme Taylor 6, Tamanay Tuhou 5, Kohere Tupara 3, James Torrie 3, Heath Tupara 2); GBHS 1 (Lachie Falloon) LOB HPY Advisors 3 (Dave Melville, Patrick Ferry, Jayden McKay); YMP B 0 Waituhi 7 (Tei Mohi 3, Tegan Brown 2, Matty Waikari, Hylam Tukariri).

Intermediate hockey results from Tuesday, June 7: Manutuke 7 Ilminster Intermediate A 0, Campion Rockets 2 Sonrise 0, Gisborne Intermediate Kiwa 2 Gisborne Intermediate Maia 3, Ilminster Intermediate (1) 0 Gisborne Intermediate Pawa 12.