Kowhai, Ngatapa in ‘big one’

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

THE points table ahead of the split in the senior women’s hockey competition will be decided over the next three sessions on the LJ Hooker turf, and GMC Kowhai and Ngatapa play the big one.

The ninth round starts tonight with the top-five and bottom-four make-up already decided for the women’s teams.

The Friday night fixture list starts with GMC Kowhai and Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa at 6pm.

Both teams are cemented in the top five.

“Tomorrow’s game decides where they finish,” commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Either side could potentially finish in second place on the table, or fifth, so there is a lot hanging on the match.”

Tonight at 6pm, Paikea take on Gisborne Girls’ High School.

“Paikea should come out on top in that one,” Scragg said.

“They have already sealed a top-five finish but will want to make a statement to the other teams in that top group.”

Girls’ High, on the other hand, will play the second phase of the women’s competition in the bottom four.

“They will finish top qualifiers in that bottom group, though, and will want to continue their development as a side tonight,” Scragg said.

The second match at 7.30pm tonight pits Te Aowera against YMP B.

“This should be a close battle,” Scragg said.

“Both teams will be in the bottom four but TA will search hard tonight for their first win of the season.

“I think they have a good chance in a close match with a narrow scoreline.”

Gisborne Boys’ High School and YMP B play the 7.30pm match tomorrow night. It should be close.

“They are evenly matched,” Scragg said.

“Boys’ High might go in as slight favourties but YMP B are so unpredictable.”

The best of the three Saturday games will start at 1pm when LOB A take on YMP A.

“It is the game of the weekend in the men’s competition,” Scragg said.

“YMP A would be favoured after their performance last week and LOB A will have to improve remarkably to stay with them.”

At 2.45pm, LOB Masters meet a rampant THC.

“It is fair to say we are expecting pretty much one-way traffic,” Masters player Scragg said.

“It will be a real test of our defence.”

The final match, at 4.30pm, has GMC Gold up against well-performing clubmates GMC Green.

“It will be business as usual for the Green Machine I expect . . . a trial match almost.”