Round of upsets led by GMC

CLOSE CONTEST: Zealandor Rogers of NZ Fruits Lytton Old Boys B turns to chase as THC’s Chris Fox (right) pushes the ball past him in a men’s hockey match on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. LOB B were three goals down early in the match but fought back to be a goal behind at 4-3, and looked as if they might draw level. THC scored again, though, and the match ended 5-3. Picture by Paul Rickard

GMC Green caused the major upset in a round of surprise results in Poverty Bay hockey at the weekend when they ended the run of previously unbeaten women’s team YMP A.

The “Green Machine” won a hard-fought contest on the LJ Hooker Turf 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.

“That is YMP’s first defeat in two seasons,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“GMC scored in the first and second quarters and YMP, while they looked likely to score, could not capitalise on their chances.

“The Green Machine worked so well as a team, the best I have seen them play this season.

“They were just too good for YMP on the day.

“So that result has given YMP a bit of homework to do before the next time they meet GMC Green, in a couple of weeks.”

Lytton Old Boys A mounted a big challenge to YMP A on Friday night in one of the men’s matches, holding YMP to a highly creditable 2-1 scoreline.

YMP scored their first goal early, LOB equalised in the third quarter and then YMP scored the winner.

“It was a humdinger of a game,” Scragg said.

“If that match is an indication of what can happen in the semifinals of our men’s competition then I am excited.”

He said it was a very good match between evenly matched teams.

In the other game on Friday night, Gisborne Boys’ High School beat LOB Masters 4-0.

“Well done the students,” Scragg said.

“They were clinical, and scored a goal in each quarter.

“It was a good build-up game for them ahead of the Super 8 hockey tournament here in a few weeks.”

Student striker King Ormond scored three of the school’s goals.

JNL Paikea handed out a repeat defeat to Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa, 3-1, in one of the other women’s matches played on Saturday afternoon.

“Ngatapa opened the scoring but after that Paikea just clicked into gear and never looked like losing the match,” Scragg said.

“Well done to them.”

THC got a good workout from NZ Fruits LOB B on Saturday afternoon. It ended 5-3 to THC.

“THC led by three goals early on and then in the final quarter they were up only 4-3 at one stage,” Scragg said.

“So the game was on the line, and LOB B were unlucky not to come out of it with a draw.”

YMP B won a blow-for-blow game against GMC Gold on Thursday night 3-2, thanks to a late strike by Mel Knight, who completed a hat-trick with that winning goal.

“It was a good game and a great effort from both teams,” Scragg said.

GMC Kowhai scored six goals against Te Aowera to make a statement in the women’s second division, and the score included a hat-trick to Megan Allen.

Women: GMC Kowhai 6 (Megan Allen 3, Karyn Egan, Marlene Nikora, Ella Torrie) Te Aowera 0.

YMP B 3 (Mel Knight 3) GMC Gold 2 (Jonette Rudge, Lisa Baker).

JNL Paikea 3 (Danielle Carrington, Joanne Cumming, Kristen Kirkpatrick) Ngatapa 1 (Emily Willock).

GMC Green 2 (Jade Stafford, Shannon Williams) YMP A 0.

Men: Gisborne Boys’ High School 4 (King Ormond 3, Luke Whibley) LOB Masters 0.

YMP A 2 (Heath Tupara 2) LOB A 1 (Shea Hooper).

THC 5 (Tamanay Tuhou 2, Henry Mohi 2, Chris Fox) NZ Fruits LOB 3 (Michael Ducros, Matt King, Herman Fourie).