Old foes to add another chapter to their rivalry in Poverty Bay club hockey

Heni-Kamaia Thompson, Briar Robb GMC Green's Heni-Kamaia Thompson (left) and Ngatapa's Briar Robb go stick to stick in a Poverty Bay women's club hockey game. Defending champions GMC are unbeaten in the 2025 competition and are expected to continue that run when they take on Ngatapa tomorrow.

The spotlight will shine on YMP and LOB Traktion in a Poverty Bay men’s club hockey match that should provide a thrilling finale to Saturday’s play.

Traditional rivals Laidlaw YMP and Lytton Paikea Sports Club Traktion take the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve from 5pm.

“This will be the game of the weekend I think,” said Poverty Bay Hockey Association chairman Kohere Tupara, who is also a member of the reigning champion YMP side.

“Traktion have been putting some good performances together and they would love to see that momentum continue. They will be out to disrupt an undefeated YMP.

“On the other hand, YMP are determined to keep their unbeaten run going in the competition.”

YMP outgunned Traktion 5-0 in round 1.

The day’s play begins at 12.30pm when PGG Wrightson Ngatapa come up against the unbeaten GMC Green in the women’s competition.

“GMC should be too strong, but I am sure Ngatapa will make a game of it,” Tupara said. “This will be the game of the round for the women.”

For Ngatapa to have any chance of an upset win, they would probably need to score early and build and maintain momentum, he said.

“The Green Machine will wear them down otherwise.”

In the second women’s game, GMC Kowhai face Emerre and Hathaway Insurance LPSC Paikea at 2pm.

Tupara said there had been a few close games between these two teams over the years “and I reckon today might be no different”.

“But Paikea have been improving lots and I think they will be too much to handle for Kowhai.”

Paikea won their round 1 encounter 3-0.

“Again, if the Kowhai side can score early and back their defence, they could be in with a chance.”

The 3.30pm match pits Gisborne Boys’ High School First XI against LPSC Resene Masters.

As they were in their 7-2 loss to YMP last Saturday, Boys’ High will be missing several players in the midst of the school holidays.

A repeat of their 18-1 demolition of the Masters in round 1 is unlikely, but the students should still be too strong.

“The students have a lethal attack [led by the competition’s leading scorer Ollie Egan] and they will want to capitalise fully on their skills and rack up a big score,” Tupara said.