Paikea should test defensive structure of unbeaten YMP

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

PAIKEA face the acid test in senior women's hockey tomorrow when they front up to the unbeaten YMP in what should be an enthralling game.

Sitting second on the table, and fresh from their draw last weekend against GMC Green, Paikea must be rated a chance in the match.

“They would definitely be rated a good chance in the game,” said hockey commentator Tony Scragg.

“Paikea have shown a fair bit of consistency this season, and I think YMP will relish what they can offer on attack.

“They will be able to challenge the YMP defensive structure,” he said.

“I think it will be a close game, with YMP going in as slight favourites.”

The game gets under way from 1.30pm tomorrow.

A match-up between Waituhi and GMC Green opens the weekend's round tonight at 6.30pm on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

“The Green Machine will bounce back from their draw last week, and they will test the Waituhi defensive backs and goalkeeper.

“They will have their work cut out.”

Ngatapa and GMC Gold get the ball rolling tomorrow afternoon when they meet at midday.

“Ngatapa go into the game on back-to-back wins, and will want to keep that form going to seal up the top spot in the bottom four of the womens' competition.

“The team started with a few new faces this year and now they are starting to combine well as a team.”

At 3pm tomorrow Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School take on GMC Kowhai.

“Girls' High will want to finish the round solid, with a strong performance, but Kowhai will make them work for a win.”

The men get use of the court for the rest of the weekend.

At 4.30pm tomorrow Lytton Old Boys Masters and YMP 1 meet.

“That should be a good, close game. YMP 1 lost heavily last week,” Scragg said.

“This could be the Masters' opportunity to finally get a win over YMP.”

YMP 2 and Gisborne Boys' High School finish the round at 6pm.

“That YMP team have a potent strike force, and even though the students come off their great win over LOB NZ Fruits last weekend, YMP 2 will really test out how good the Boys' High team are on defence.”