Rematch juicy prospect

CLASH OF STICKS: YMP’s Maia Rickard (left) and Jo Cumming, of Paikea, contest possession in women’s club hockey on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve. YMP take on Gisborne Girls’ High School tonight and Paikea play GMC Green tomorrow afternoon, two weeks after the same teams fought out a 4-4 draw. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

THE hockey round this weekend throws up some juicy prospects with several matches set to be tight, hard-fought affairs, none more so than the rematch between GMC Green and Paikea tomorrow afternoon.

The two sides locked up at 4-4 two weeks ago and more of the same can be expected.

“It’s definitely likely to be the game of the round this weekend,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“This game is Paikea’s to win, if they put their minds to it.

“The draw recently was very even, and must have been a confidence booster for them. They will go into the game knowing they have a good chance against the defending women’s champions.

“The Green Machine, on the other hand, have lifted since that draw, and I think they could find another gear tomorrow.”

The game starts at 4.30pm tomorrow.

The round begins at 6.30pm tonight when YMP take on Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High Scohol on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

It was 4-0 to YMP last time these sides met.

“The students face a tough task tonight,” Scragg said.

“”YMP have been going from strength to strength.

“Girls’ High will have to not only defend well, but turn that defence into attack to stand a chance.”

The men get first use of the turf tomorrow afternoon, at 12 midday, when YMP (1) take on Gisborne Boys’ High School.

“This is the game of the day in the men’s grade,” Scragg said.

“YMP beat Boys’ High 5-3 in the first round, but I feel this is a different Boys’ High side. They will provide stiff opposition.”

YMP (1) come off a loss last weekend.

In women’s competition, Ngatapa play GMC Gold at 1.30pm.

“Ngatapa will go in full of confidence, having had three wins on the trot,” Scragg said.

“They are the top qualifiers in the bottom-four women’s competition and will want to keep that momentum going.”

Waituhi and GMC Kowhai face off at 3pm in another tight contest.

Waituhi won 6-4 last month.

“I think another high-scoring match is on the cards here,” Scragg said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Waituhi pick up their third win of the season.”

Lytton Old Boys Masters and LOB NZ Fruits will battle it out in the final game of the weekend at 6pm tomorrow night.

They locked up 2-2 last time they met.

“The Fruits have shown good form, but the Masters’ performance last weekend sets them up nicely for this match,” Scragg said.

The senior women’s teams are now playing in a top-four, bottom-four round-robin competition, with YMP, Girls’ High, Paikea and GMC Green in the top group, and the other teams in the second group.

The men’s competition is into its second round.