Pick up sticks

BACK ON THE TURF: Action from the women’s hockey final last year . . . YMP’s Toni Halley (left) and GMC Green’s Anahera Whaanga-Smith both try to get their stick to the ball. File picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

GMC Kowhai and GMC Green take centre stage tonight on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve as the honour falls to them to play the opening game of the 2021 Gisborne hockey season.

It may be a trial game of sorts, between clubmates, but a strong contest can be expected between the two women’s sides.

“There are a couple of new faces in the Green Machine this season . . . they’ve lost a couple,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“It will be an interesting test for players from both sides to find out which team they’ll be in this season.”

The match starts at 6.30pm.

Tomorrow night Ngatapa will be in action against Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School.

“Ngatapa have five or six new players this year and Girls’ High have just played a tournament in Hawke’s Bay, which I believe they won, so they’ll be tough opponents,” Scragg said.

“It should be the women’s game of the weekend to watch.”

That match starts at 6pm.

The first of the men’s games this season — in the Covid Cup competition — follows at 7.30pm, with YMP B up against Lytton Old Boys (2).

“We’re hoping that with the new first-round men’s competition we’ve got some fairly evenly matched teams, which should result in some exciting matches,” Scragg said.

“I think YMP as a club will want to continue from where they left off last year, winning the men’s competition and finishing second as well.”

The Saturday afternoon programme begins with the women’s game between Waituhi and YMP at 12.30pm.

Waituhi acquitted themselves well in their debut return last season but how they will stand up to the firepower of YMP remains to be seen.

“YMP had a trial match with Ngatapa a couple of weeks ago and looked strong, with really good depth,” Scragg said.

“They will be a tough nut for Waituhi to crack.”

At 2pm, Paikea play Te Aowera.

“We welcome back TA after their season off,” Scragg said.

“They are up against a Paikea team who have lost a few players, but have managed to recruit some new ones as well, and some of them are quite experienced.

“So Te Aowera may have their work cut out.”

The final match of the weekend, at 3.30pm on Saturday, has the new Waituhi men’s team up against LOB (1).

“I’m really excited about this one,” Scragg said.

“It will be a great game to end the opening weekend of the season.

“Waituhi have got players from the former THC side, so I think they will be very competitiive.

“LOB, on the other hand, look pretty good on the team sheet too.”

Scragg said it was good to have hockey under way.

“It’s going to be great to have everyone back out on the turf.

“It is such a whanau environment for the sport in Tairawhiti and we’re all looking forward to it.”