Shootout decides classic encounter

PLAYOFF HOPES IN BALANCE: Emily Willock (left), of Ngatapa, tries to halt the progress of Amanda Smith, of Paikea, in women’s club hockey on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. Paikea won a sudden-death shootout to keep their playoff hopes alive. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

PAIKEA won a sudden-death shootout at the weekend to stay alive in the women’s A Grade hockey playoffs, while YMP A put away THC yet again to retain ascendancy in the men’s A Grade.

It was 2-2 between JNL Paikea and Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa at the end of normal time on Saturday afternoon.

Joanne Cumming had scored twice for Paikea, and Jessie McNeil and Briar Hunter had scored for Ngatapa.

“They had a five-shot shootout and were still tied, and they needed a ‘golden goal’ sudden-death shootout to decide it,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Paikea’s Jo Cumming scored for Paikea, and the Ngatapa shooter missed.

“Credit to both goalkeepers. They were outstanding.

“Even though Paikea have gone through, both sides left the turf with smiles on their faces after playing one of the classic games of the year,” Scragg said.

YMP A marched straight into the A Grade women’s major semifinal against top-of-the-table GMC Green next weekend, defeating Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School 5-1.

“YMP were made to work for it.

“The game was locked up at 1-all for a very long time. But YMP got on top eventually and stretched the lead out in the final quarter.”

Girls’ High will play Paikea next weekend to decide who stays alive in the playoffs.

In the men’s rematch between YMP A and THC, the former were too good for the third time this season. The 7-2 scoreline said it all.

“THC had them on the ropes though at 2-1 early on, but YMP clicked into gear and sealed the deal with six unanswered goals after that.”

LOB NZ Fruits continued their form improvement with a 3-2 win over the LOB Masters.

“It was a good game that could have gone either way,” Scragg said.

“It’s good to see the Fruits finding form at the right end of the season.”

Gisborne Boys’ High put away YMP B 3-0.

“That was a good boost for the Boys’ High side, who will go in as hot favourites for the bottom-four men’s sides.

“The students are playing their super eight tournament this week, so they will be in top form by the weekend.”

In the B Grade women, a gallant Roseland Tavern Te Aowera went down by just two goals to one against GMC Gold.

“When you look at how the TA season started, boy, they have made a big improvement as the weekends have gone by. Well done to them.”

GMC Kowhai will be feeling more content after a 3-0 win against YMP B.

“It was not a convincing win by Kowhai but you cannot write them off for the semifinals starting this weekend,” Scragg said.

Detailed results — Men: LOB NZ Fruits 3 (Ethan Rogers 2, Neal Ebbett) LOB Masters 2 (David Preddey 2). GBHS 3 (Harry Allan, Jack Willock, Samuel Blackburn) YMP B 0. YMP A 7 (Kohere Tupara 4, Jereme Taylor 3) THC 2 (Tam Tuhou 2).

Women’s A Grade: YMP A 5 (Courtney Onekawa 2, Nicole Torrie, Morgan Tuhou, Toni Halley) Amber Dental GGHS 1 (Brooke Willock). JNL Paikea 2 (Joanne Cumming 2) Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa 2 (Jessie McNeil, Briar Hunter); shootout, Paikea 2 (Kimberley Morete, Joanne Cummning) Ngatapa 1 (Jessie McNeil).

Women’s B Grade: GMC Gold 2 (Tania Forster, Andrea Hills) Roseland Tavern Te Aowera 1 (Daphne Maxwell). GMC Kowhai 3 (Anita Howard 2, Marlene Nikora) YMP B 0.

See sports briefs on page 21 for under-13 boys’ representative team results