Mr T doubles send A-Team into premier grand final

TWO-PARA: Kohere Tupara scored two goals as his YMP A team took the direct route to the Poverty Bay premier men’s club hockey final. THC’s Tuhou Tamanay (also pictured) was also in the goals. YMP defeated rivals THC 6-3 on Saturday, meaning THC will have to beat Lytton Old Boys A this weekend to keep their title defence hopes alive. The composition of all men’s and women’s finals will be known late Saturday afternoon. Picture by Paul Rickard

YMP A marched into the Poverty Bay premier men’s club hockey grand final with a 6-3 win over THC in their top-two playoff on Saturday.

It was an emphatic reversal of the previous weekend when THC beat them 3-2 in the last premier round-robin game — YMP’s first loss of the season.

Two goals each to Kohere Tupara and Heath Tupara laid the foundation for YMP’s excellent victory on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve. The other goals were netted by Alex Hyland and Gareth Knox.

Hoera Mohi scored twice for THC and Tamanay Tuhou got the other.

The margin of victory was a surprise but it showed YMP’s ability to rebound from defeat and how tough they will be in the August 26 final.

YMP A get the week off to prepare for that while THC take on Lytton old Boys A this weekend to decide the other premier finalists.

In the last games of the premier women’s round-robin competition, YMP A women got one back over arch-rivals GMC Green, winning their top-of-the-table game 2-0.

PlacingsThe big two ended on the same points and with the same differential, so their placings for the 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 semifinals came down to who scored the most goals in the second round.

GMC took top spot and will play Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa, who were fourth, while second-placed YMP take on third-placed Paikea.

YMP’s defence against the Green Machine was outstanding and they took their chances at the other end, with goals to Morgan Tuhou and Toni Halley.

Paikea defeated Ngatapa 2-1 — a scoreline that told the story of a close game in which both teams played well.

Simone Lexmond got both Paikea goals while Lucinda Candy scored for Ngatapa.

Defending champions Gisborne Boy’s High School booked themselves a spot in the senior men’s final when they defeated LOB NZ Fruits 5-1 in the top-two semi. Brett Hockey got a double and Kyle Hannah, Sam Treloar and Luke Whibley also made the scorecard.

Michael Ducros scored for LOB.

“We have been aiming to defend that title again and I am very happy the boys have got that opportunity,” said Boys’ High coach Stu Hockey. “The boys played really well as a unit and the scoreline reflected that.

“While the Super 8 (secondary schools competition) was tough for us last week, it improved our defensive structure and speed and accuracy in passing.”

Sudden-death semiLOB Masters’ hopes ended in a sudden-death senior semifinal 2-1 loss to YMP B.

YMP B jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period through goals to Toby Lardelli and David Mackey, but the Masters hung tough, and David Preddey pegged one back just before the break. The Masters had the lion’s share of possession and territory in the second half but could not put an equaliser away.

“Story of our season,” was how Masters player Tony Scragg put it. “But YMP deserved it.”

YMP B play LOB NZ Fruits to decide who meets GBHS in the final.

GMC Kowhai advanced to the senior women’s final with a hard fought 2-1 win over YMP B. Megan Allen and Juliarna Mitchell scored for the winners, Lois Smiler for YMP.

GMC Gold took on Gisborne Girls’ High In the knockout semi, and the students won 5-0 to stay alive.

Oaklea Bowden-Morris found the back of the net twice and the other goals were snapped up by Ngahuia Wilson, Madison Savage and Paige Rofe.

Girls’ High needed a strong performance in the second half after Gold had held them to 1-0 at halftime.

The students face YMP B for a place in the senior final while GMC Gold play Te Aowera to decide fourth and fifth.