Newcomers make themselves heard

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

NEWCOMERS GMC Kowhai caused a big upset last night when they knocked over Gisborne Girls’ High School 3-1 in women’s hockey on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve. In the other match last night, Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa outplayed GMC Gold to win 8-0.

GMC Kowhai led 3-0 at halftime and withstood considerable pressure from Girls’ High in the second half.

“It was a great effort by the Kowhai team and Girls’ High staged a real fightback in the second half,” commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Like the Gisborne Boys’ High team, Girls’ High are rebuilding and I am sure they will become more competitive over the next few weeks as they get their combinations working better.”

GMC Kowhai captain Krissy Hohepa said her team were happy with the win.

“Girls’ High are a wonderful team and it was our first time against them. So we were a bit nervous about the match, but we are over the moon to come out of it with a win,” Hohepa said.

“Kelsey Teneti was outstanding last night and Ana Haenga also played really well.”

Ngatapa coach Scragg was likewise happy with the performance of his team.

“That is the biggest win we have ever pulled off against a team who are our arch-rivals,” he said. “It was a real team effort by the girls. While our attack obviously scored well, our backs played really well.”

The third round of the competition was to conclude this afternoon with Lytton Old Boys A playing LOB Masters, and in the women’s competition the two YMP teams facing off.