Little between top two men’s teams

HOT STUFF: The rematch between unbeaten YMP A and defending mens champions THC takes top billing in the hockey round this weekend. The pace on the LJ Hooker turf promises to be red hot late Saturday afternoon. Here Aden Olsen and Hone Pewhairangi pressure Dylan Lardelli in their previous encounter this season. Picture by Paul Rickard

THE best gets kept to last in Poverty Bay club hockey tomorrow, with all eyes set to be on the rematch between THC and unbeaten YMP A in the men’s competition.

YMP A won the first-round clash between the sides 4-2 in mid-June but have since gone on to be challenged hard by Lytton Old Boys A (2-1 to YMP).

By the same token, defending champions THC beat LOB A by the same score in early July.

Those numbers indicate little will separate them in Saturday’s clash, a game that could go either way.

“It will paint a pretty clear picture of how the premier men’s competition might end up this year,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“I think YMP have that little bit of extra class this season.

“To beat them, THC will have to contain YMP’s midfield and take what chances come their way on attack.”

The match gets under way at 4.30pm tomorrow.

The women got this round’s first use of the LJ Hooker Turf last night with Gisborne Girls’ High School and GMC Kowhai in one game and YMP B and Te Aowera in the other.

Girls’ High won their match 1-0 with a goal scored midway through the second half.

“It was a good game, very close and tight right the way through,” Kowhai manager Ngaio Haenga said.

“The students had an edge over us in fitness and that told in the end.”

YMP B had a solid 4-1 win against Te Aowera in the second match last night.

“It was a good game from both teams; TA started strongly,” YMP coach Nancy-Rae Tarawa said.

YMP led 2-1 after the first quarter, scored again in the second, and grabbed their fourth late in the match.

“The girls were quite composed last night and they are feeling good about how they are going in the competition,” Tarawa said.

Friday night hockey features the 6pm game between LOB Masters and YMP B in the men’s competition.

These teams drew last time they met.

“YMP B are always the Masters’ arch-rivals,” Scragg said.

“But after a few heavy scorelines against them, the Masters are due for a win.”

LOB A play Gisborne Boys’ High School at 7.30pm and Stu Hockey’s school team will want to produce their best possible effort ahead of the Super 8 secondary school tournament here next week.

“The Boys’ High defence will be put to the test,” Scragg said.

“LOB A are fast improving and will be hard to handle, but it will be the ideal preparation for the students for their tournament.”

The Saturday programme starts as usual at 1pm when Paikea meet YMP A in the women’s competition.

“YMP A will rebound again, I am sure,” Scragg said.

“The loss to GMC Green the weekend before last will still be fresh in their minds.

“They will come out strongly and Paikea could be on the receiving end.”

At 2.45pm, Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa take on the very much in-form GMC Green.

“It is going to be a tough day for the Ngatapa defence,” Scragg said.

“Kelsey Teneti has been scoring some great goals for the Green Machine and she will be one of the players the Ngatapa girls will have to keep a close eye on.

“The problem is there are several other good strikers in that Green team for them to watch as well.”