A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
A DRAW between table-toppers GMC Green and Ngatapa was the highlight of weekend hockey in Gisborne.
But for some better finishing in the final moments, Ngatapa could have caused an upset. The country team created most of the pressure as the women's top-four game drew to a close last Thursday.
“It was a good effort by Ngatapa to pressure the Green Machine the way they did,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.
“They had so many opportunities, but just weren't able to put them away in the circle.
“GMC were short of a few key personnel. They'll be back — you can put a ring around it — for their big clash against YMP A this weekend.”
In the other women's top-four match, YMP A beat Paikea 6-1.
“It was only 1-0 to YMP at halftime, so credit to Paikea there,” Scragg said.
“But three goals in the first four minutes of the second half changed the tide of the game.
“This result is a sign that YMP are a team to watch.”
The women's bottom-five matches featured a 4-2 victory to Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School over GMC Kowhai.
“Well done, Girls' High,” Scragg said.
“That's a solid result, and those points will count when it comes to the make-up of the semifinals.”
In the other match, YMP B beat a plucky Te Aowera 4-0.
“That's the second time this season YMP B have outclassed their arch-rivals,” Scragg said.
“But credit to TA goalkeeper Hinemoa Sidney, who played well and kept the score reasonable.”
The men's teams played friendlies.
“The game between the YMP A and B teams was one-sided, with the A team well on top,” Scragg said.
“But there was nothing ‘friendly' about the game between HPY Advisors Lytton Old Boys and Waituhi.
“LOB were made to work very hard for a 2-1 victory,” Scragg said.
“Maybe that's the match they needed before they take on YMP A this weekend for the right to go forward to the men's final,” he said.
“Just a reflection on the Commonwealth Games — we all want to congratulate our own Amber Church who umpired the women's gold-medal match in Birmingham the other morning.
“Amber did a great job, and did us all proud.
“Even the commentator said what a month of hockey Amber had had — she umpired both the World Cup and Commonwealth Games finals.
“We cannot wait to have her back on the Hain Farming turf.”
Church arrives back in New Zealand at the end of the week.
Detailed results — Women, bottom five, Monday August 1: YMP B 1 (Chantelle Ribbon) GGHS 3 (Jade Martin, Keeley Smiler, Emily Petro).
Top four: GMC Green 0 Ngatapa 0; Paikea 1 (Kate Gilmore) YMP A 6 (Kodi Campbell 2, Nancy-Rae Tarawa, Lucy McHugh, Maia Rickard, Toni Halley).
Bottom five: YMP B 4 (Morgan Tuhou 2, Leah Tupara, Aisha Twigley) Te Aowera 0; GGHS 4 (Jade Martin 2, Chloe Kapene, Emily Petro) GMC Kowhai 2 (Monika Dinkel, Raukura Maxwell).
The men will now play top three/bottom three for three rounds starting this Friday.
Finals for all seniors are from August 26 to 28.
Secondary school results, August 1: GBHS (2) 4 (Carter Easterbrook, Che Aston, Caleb Taewa, Angus Henry) Lytton High School Mixed 0; Whatatutu 1 (Maia Brown) Campion Mixed 0; GGHS (2) won by default.
Intermediate results, August 2: Sonrise 4 Gis Int Pawa 10; Ilminster A 0 Gis Int Maia 5; Whatatutu 2 Gis Int Kiwa 1; Campion 4 Ilminster (1) 0; Wairoa 0 Manutuke 9.
Year 5 and 6, August 4: Kaiti Toa 2 Makaraka Green 2; Patutahi School Muri-Tahi 3 Uawa Maitai 5; PBHA Misfits Mangapapa White Socks won by default; Makauri Marvels 5 Uawa Kahu 0; Waikirikiri Toa 0 Awapuni Strikers 1; Sonrise Te Rongopai 0 Central Falcons 0; Manutuke 3 Nga Uri a Maui 0; Te Wharau Black Sticks 2 Wainui Whales 2; Awapuni Hitters 0 Makauri Massive 5; Ormond Rimu 2 Makaraka Orange 1.