Improving Waituhi could threaten YMP

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

WEEK 6 of Poverty Bay senior club hockey should produce some tantalising contests.

The feature match will probably be the men’s game between YMP A and Waituhi on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow afternoon.

It starts at 3.30pm and could be the tightest clash of Week 6 although the women’s game between Paikea and YMP B last night also promised plenty of action.

Last night’s game will be covered as part of the full weekend wrap-up in The Herald next week.

Other matches should all go according to form.

“YMP A will be playing a Waituhi side who have greatly improved over the first round,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“But YMP A will be determined to keep themselves at the top of the men’s points table.

“If Waituhi play to their capabilities they could threaten YMP A.”

The first game tonight at 6pm pits GMC Kowhai against Gisborne Girls’ High School 1st XI.

“Girls’ High go in as hot favourites because they have been playing so well lately,” Scragg said. “Kowhai will know they’ll have to stack their circle to keep the students out.”

Women’s competition leaders (on goal difference) GMC Green take on Zeafruit Ngatapa at 7.30pm.

“Green Machine all the way in that one, I think,” Scragg said. “GMC are a very classy side and one would expect the Ngatapa goalkeeper to have a busy night.

“I expect GMC to have the game in the bag by halftime.”

Tomorrow’s programme begins at 12.30pm with defending champions YMP A playing Te Aowera.

“I predict one-way traffic in that one, unfortunately for TA,” Scragg said.

“But they have shown some true spirit in their games this season.

“They will no doubt defend stoutly, and try to keep the score to single figures.”

From then on it’s an all-male afternoon.

At 2pm, Gisborne Boys’ High School meet YMP B.

“The Boys’ High team, coming off a narrow loss to Lytton Old Boys Traktion, will go in full of confidence,” Scragg said.

“It could be a game where the students further stamp their authority on where they’re at in the competition.”

To finish off the afternoon, LOB Traktion play LOB Resene Masters at 5pm.

“Both teams will be wearing brand-new playing strips, which will be presented before the game by the club’s life members.

“With 16 new shirts on their backs, the Masters will hope it doesn’t turn out to be a goal a shirt against them in the game.”