Lytton Old Boys keen to do better this time

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LYTTON Old Boys A will look to build on their improved defensive showing against THC last weekend when they play YMP A in men’s hockey on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve tonight. The game starts at 7.30pm and LOB will want to do better than last time these sides met when YMP won 10-3.

“YMP would go in as favourites but LOB will aim to stay in the hunt with them until halftime,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said. “If they can do that, they will have an outside shot at pushing YMP.”

In the other match tonight, Gisborne Boys’ High School will aim to reverse the result of their last game against YMP B, when YMP won a tight contest 2-0.

“Boys’ High played well against the Masters last weekend and will want to keep up the good passing game they produced in that match,” Scragg said. “However, they will require more entry into the circle if they want to win tonight.”

Friday night on the turfThe Friday night matches on the turf promise to be testing if the forecast rain eventuates.

Paikea take on GMC Green at 6pm and Te Aowera meet Gisborne Girls’ High School at 7.30pm.

“I would expect the Green Machine to have way too much firepower for Paikea, especially after the way they pressed YMP A so hard last weekend,” Scragg said. “Paikea did well beating Ngatapa last weekend but their defence will have to be strong against a Green Machine side full of talent. A comfortable GMC victory is on the cards, and I would expect the same sort of result in favour of Girls’ High in the other match.”

Saturday afternoonFurther rain forecast for Saturday could also be a factor in the three afternoon matches. LOB Masters play THC at 1pm, YMP A play GMC Kowhai at 2.45pm and YMP B play Emerre and Hathaway GMC Gold at 4.30pm.

“The Masters expect another torrid workout against THC, who continue to play outstanding hockey,” Scragg said. “The Masters have a better chance of winning Powerball than keeping the scoreline to single figures, but stranger things have happened.”

YMP A senior women will almost certainly remain unbeaten against GMC Kowhai. “YMP should win that game easily,” Scragg said.

The YMP B-GMC Gold match-up will probably be the best game of the afternoon.

“They are two fairly evenly matched sides who enjoy playing each other,” Scragg said. “I expect the game will go right to the 70th minute to get a result. It could go either way.”