“Ngātapa go in as favourites for me, but GMC will want to avenge their loss in 2025.”
Both teams go into Saturday off the back of opening-week victories, albeit it contrasting ones.
A Heni-Kamaia Thompson goal earned GMC a 1-0 win over Emerre and Hathaway Lytton Paikea Sports Club (LPSC) while Ngātapa put nine past Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School First XI, including doubles to Kate Pahina and Leigh Twigley.
Tupara said the match preceding the GMC-Ngātapa clash – GGHS v GMC Kowhai at 1.30pm – could be another stand-out.
“This will be closely contested. Both teams will need a strong attacking performance to get up over their counterparts.”
Another potentially tight women’s game between LPSC and the returning YMP at 4.30pm brings the day to a close.
“Paikea pushed the Green Machine to the limit last week and they will be eager to put in another strong performance,” Tupara said.
“YMP, meantime, will want to build on their win [4-0 over Kowhai] last week and continue their form.
The men start the ball rolling at 6pm on Friday when the LPSC Masters play Laidlaw YMP A.
“YMP should be too strong for them and will want to build their combinations,” Tupara, who captained the YMP side to an 8-1 defeat of Waituhi to start their title defence, said.
“The Masters will be eager to get on the scoring card as they did against their clubmates [a 10-1 loss to LPSC Traktion] last weekend.”
Waituhi take on YMP B at 7.30pm.
“YMP B showed great form against Gisborne Boys’ High School last weekend and will need another strong effort to keep Waituhi controlled.
“Waituhi have some new combinations that they will want to work on this week and they will be after their first points of the season.”
Traktion start the Saturday programme at 12 noon against Gisborne Boys’ High School First XI.
“This will be the men’s game of the round and it will give us a good insight into how those teams are looking,” Tupara said.
“They drew in their pre-season game, so I expect another close match.”
