Hockey playoff intensity goes up a notch tonight

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

THE hockey playoffs intensify tonight when THC take on Dave Gooch Spray and Signs Lytton Old Boys A for the right to join YMP A in the premier men’s final.

On past form, the 6pm encounter should go the way of THC.

“LOB A will have to play their best match of the season to beat THC tonight,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“LOB A will need to get an early goal and keep the lead if they want to win it. THC look like the only team who can seriously challenge YMP A and they will be hard to stop tonight.”

In the other men’s playoff, at 4.30pm on Saturday, Gisborne Boys’ High School play YMP B for the opportunity to play LOB Masters in the final of the senior men’s (B) division.

“I think the students can do it but past matches beteween these teams have been close,” Scragg said.

“Boys’ High will need to put in a total 70-minute performance.”

In the women’s competition, YMP A have gone straight through to the premier-grade final.

On Saturday at 2.45pm, Emerre and Hathaway GMC Green will meet E&H GMC Kowhai to decide who joins them.

“That one could be too close to call,” Scragg said.

“GMC Green would probably be favourites but Kowhai can’t be discounted.”

Paikea have gone straight through to the second-division final and at 1pm on Saturday Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa play Williams Transport Gisborne Girls’ High School to settle the other final berth in that division.

“They will be a different Girls’ High side to the team Ngatapa beat last time out,” Scragg said.

“I am expecting a close contest, probably too close to call.”

E&H GMC Gold have taken one place in the C Division women’s final, and the other spot will be decided between YMP B and Te Aowera, at 6pm tomorrow.

“The word ‘draw’ has epitomised those two teams this season and I cannot see anything less than the closest possible result between them tomorrow night,” Scragg said.

“If they are locked up at fulltime then it will go to penalty strokes and I would not be at all surprised to see it go that way.”