Paikea tested by never-say-die Waituhi fightback

HAT-TRICK SKIPPER: Paikea captain Jo Cumming (centre right, on the ball with YMP’s Moelani Tureia-Siataga in pursuit) scored all of her team’s goals in their 3-2 victory over Waituhi last night. File picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

PAIKEA lived up to their favourites tag to win the first of the Poverty Bay hockey finals last night, but they were made to wait until the last few minutes of the match to do it.

A spirited Waituhi side took it to them and, after being two goals down, tied it up at 2-2 with seven minutes to play.

A third goal to Paikea skipper Jo Cumming decided the senior (B Grade) women’s title . . . 3-2.

“It was nil-all at the end of the first period,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Paikea dominated the first half, and then two goals to Jo Cumming had them up 2-0 at halftime.

“A scoreless third quarter had Waituhi still in the game, then two goals to them in the last period locked it up.”

The goals were scored by Waituhi skipper Marlene Nikora and Tori Wharepapa.

“The final seven minutes were pretty intense,” Scragg said.

“Waituhi had Paikea on the ropes a bit but then a goal-assist from Georgie Beaufoy on to Jo Cumming sealed the win, and Jo’s hat-trick.”

Cumming said it was the tough final they expected.

“It was always going to go down to the wire, but we came through in the end and got the result we wanted.”

Waituhi captain Nikora was proud of her team.

“Even though we lost, to bring it back to two-all against an A Grade team like Paikea was really pleasing. They should have thrashed us,” she said.

“It was a good final.”

Scragg said the Paikea women were thrilled with their win.

“It was certainly a good final to watch and if that’s an indication of the games ahead we are going to have a fantastic finals weekend.”

At 6.30pm tonight, YMP and GMC Green meet on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve to decide the premier women’s championship. The Green Machine are defending champions.

“It will be close,” Scragg said. “But I still think YMP will come through.”