HOCKEY
NGATAPA will be on the hunt for their second win in the women’s hockey competition when they take on Te Aowera on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve tonight to open the second round.
Fresh from their hard-fought victory over Amber Dental Girls’ High School last weekend and facing a returning TA side still finding their feet, Ngatapa will be clear favourites.
“Ngatapa should not take TA lightly tonight,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.
“They tend to swarm in defence so Ngatapa will need to be creative on attack.
“I think Te Aowera will settle down as the season rolls along. They certainly come out of their defence pretty well, so they’re not a team to take lightly.”
The match starts at 6.30pm.
Friday night hockey features the women’s game between GMC Kowhai and YMP at 6pm, and the men’s game between Gisborne Boys’ High School and the new Waituhi men’s side at 7.30pm.
“YMP were so strong last weekend, and I expect one-way traffic again tomorrow night,” Scragg said.
“It would be a good game for YMP to work out new combinations.
“The Boys’ High-Waituhi clash will feature some fresh faces for the students, and Waituhi will look to bounce back from their opening-round defeat.
“Waituhi look like they will evolve into a really good side this season. Boys’ High might have their hands full.”
Saturday play begins at 12.30pm when the two YMP men’s teams go at it.
“That’s a hard one to judge,” Scragg said.
“Expect the unexpected with that one.”
At 2pm on Saturday, the Lytton Old Boys 1 and 2 teams will face off.
“There will some bragging rights involved in that one,” Scragg said.
“It will give coach Matt King a good chance to have a look at his talent when they play against each other.”
At 3.30pm the Waituhi women take on Paikea.
“Paikea would go in as favourites, and it’s only upwards for the Waituhi team after their mauling last weekend at the hands of YMP.”
The final match of the weekend, at 5pm, offers a lot. GMC Green will play Gisborne Girls’ High School.
The Green Machine demolished GMC Kowhai last weekend, but the students were combative against Ngatapa and could make a game of it.
“I think this will be a good test for both sides,” Scragg said.
“It will give us an indication of how competitive Girls’ High will be this season, and likewise the Green Machine.
“It’s the game of the round across the board.”
Ngatapa v Te Aowera (umpires Kowhai, YMP women).
GMC Kowhai v YMP (Te Aowera, Ngatapa).
Waituhi v Paikea (Green, GGHS).
GMC Green v Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School (Waituhi, Paikea).
Gisborne Boys’ High School v Waituhi (LOB 1, LOB 2).
YMP B v YMP A (GBHS, Waituhi).
Lytton Old Boys 2 v LOB 1 (YMP A, YMP B).
GGHS (2) v GBHS (2) (TKKM Whatatutu, TKKM Whatatutu).
GBHS Black v Campion College Green (TKKM Whatatutu, TKKM Whatatutu).
Campion College Gold v Lytton High School (TKKM Whatatutu, TKKM Whatatutu).
TKKM Whatatutu.