Paikea out to stop Ngatapa’s run

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

Ngatapa are going after their third consecutive win in this season’s Poverty Bay women’s hockey competition, but their Round 3 opponents tomorrow, Paikea, will have different ideas.

Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa go into the match with wins against Te Aowera and GMC Kowhai, and while JNL Paikea were well beaten by Gisborne Girls’ High School in Round 1, they showed more resolve in last week’s victory over GMC Gold.

“This game will be a true early-season test for the Ngatapa girls, and for Paikea,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“I cannot see much more than a goal in it between the teams. It should be close.”

That match starts at 1.45pm tomorrow.

The senior women’s side of the round starts tonight with GMC Gold up against YMP A at 6pm.

“If the Gold team can keep the score under double figures they will have done very well tonight,” Scragg said.

“YMP A have looked good in their two matches and will want to keep that going.”

At 7.30pm, GMC Green play YMP B.

“It will be the same story for YMP B tonight,” Scragg said.

“The Green Machine will be strong and they will be raring to go in what will be their first game of the season.”

GMC Green had the bye in Round 1 and Te Aowera defaulted against them last weekend.

“I expect GMC will come out firing,” Scragg said.

The Saturday programme starts at midday, when GMC Kowhai play Te Aowera.

“Hopefully, TA have a team this weekend,” Scragg said.

“I know they have been affected by low numbers. They will need a full team against a young Kowhai side starting to find their groove.”

At 3.30pm tomorrow, Lytton Old Boys A take on YMP B in a match that should give the Lytton team a chance to bounce back from their heavy loss to THC last weekend.

“It gives LOB A a good opportunity to find their defensive structures and find their way to goal a bit better, too,” Scragg said.

“But YMP B should not be counted out after their one-goal loss to Gisborne Boys’ High last weekend.”

Lytton Old Boys B will have their work cut out to handle YMP A in the round’s final match, which is to be played at the earlier-than-usual time of 5.15pm.

“I expect the game should be fairly one-sided in YMP’s favour,” Scragg said.

“The B team scored nine goals last weekend, so they have the strike force. However, they are up against one of the competition’s best defensive teams.”

The LOB Masters have defaulted their game scheduled for tomorrow, against THC.

“We have numbers issues this weekend,” said Scragg, who plays for the Masters.

“So unfortunately we would not be able to field a full team.”