Green to play YMP A

HARD ON HER HEELS: Laura Matthews, of Paikea, gives chase as Kelsey Teneti, of GMC Green, comes away with the ball during a sudden-death semifinal on Saturday to decide who would meet YMP A in the women’s A Grade hockey final at the Harry Barker Reserve this weekend. GMC Green won the match 7-1. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

HOCKEY

THE Green Machine qualified for the premier women’s hockey final — in a canter — when they defeated Paikea in the sudden-death semifinal at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday.

GMC Green won the match against JNL Paikea 7-1 on the LJ Hooker Turf.

It means the Green Machine will play YMP A in the women’s A Grade final on Saturday.

A hat-trick to Shannon Williams was the mainstay of the Green Machine’s scoring, along with a brace of goals to Jade Stafford.

“It was the result the Green team wanted and deserved,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“They were up by just two goals at halftime.

“It’s fair to say that just before the break Paikea had them on the ropes. Paikea attacked them hard in the first 35 minutes.

“But in the second half the Green Machine took their play up a notch and sealed a comfortable win with five more goals.

“They know the task of winning the women’s A Grade title will only be harder this weekend against YMP A.”

In the men’s premier grand final on Saturday, YMP A play THC.

That was decided by the Poverty Bay Hockey Association three weeks ago.

Lytton Old Boys Masters booked a spot in the men’s B Grade final on Saturday when they cleaned out regular rivals YMP B 5-0.

Ever-reliable scorer Dave Preddey scored a hat-trick to anchor the Masters’ effort.

“The boys were blown away with the scoreline at the end,” Scragg said.

“Traditionally YMP B have been tough rivals for them, and to beat them so clearly was a real buzz for the team.

“I’m sure the boys will be feeling good about taking on their clubmates on Saturday.”

The Masters will play LOB NZ Fruits to decide the B Grade men’s title.

In the women’s B Grade, GMC Gold earned a spot in the final against GMC Kowhai, but their opponents in the sudden-death semifinal, Roseland Tavern Te Aowera, made them work for it.

Gold won the contest 2-1.

“Gold underlined the good form they have shown in the past month, and deservedly took a place in the B final,” Scragg said.

“Te Aowera have had some good results recently, and congratulations to them for getting so far in the competition.

“It will be good to see the other two GMC women’s teams have a good go at each other to decide that B Grade title on Saturday.”

Detailed results — Men: LOB Masters 5 (David Preddey 3, Matt Skuse, Jayden McKay) YMP B 0.

Women: GMC Green 7 (Shannon Williams 3, Jade Stafford 2, Caroline Maclaurin, Megan Allen) JNL Paikea 1 (Amber Church); GMC Gold 2 (Janette Boyd, Rebecca Pepere) Te Aowera 1 (Lillian Hema).