Spirited start to delayed season

Protecting possession: Jade Stafford, of GMC Green, tries to keep the ball away from Briar Hunter, of Ngatapa, in women’s hockey on the Harry Barker Reserve turf at the weekend. GMC won the match 6-2. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

GMC, Gisborne Girls’ High School, YMP and Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits all tasted victory in the opening round of senior hockey at the weekend.

The YMP women’s team got the delayed season under way on Friday night with an 11-0 victory over newcomers Waituhi.

“It was 3-0 to YMP at halftime and Waituhi did very well to hold them to the score they did,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“They would have been very happy going into the break, but then fitness came to the fore and YMP pulled away.”

Defending women’s champions GMC Green started strongly, too, with a solid 6-2 win against a spirited Ngatapa side.

“Ngatapa scored the first goal, and had GMC on the back foot for a while at the start of the game,” Scragg said.

“Then they went goal for goal for a short period.

“But in the second half GMC lifted a notch and ran away with it.”

Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High were too good for Paikea, taking that match 5-2.

“That’s a good result for the students,” Scragg said.

“It was just the way their coach Henry Mulligan would have wanted them to start the season.”

GMC Kowhai started with a 2-0 win against GMC Gold.

“It was a good start for the Kowhai side, who no doubt went in as favourites,” Scragg said.

“It was a good opportunity for the young girls in the Kowhai team to get the monkey of that first-up game in the senior grade off their backs.

“From now on, though, it will get harder in each game.”

In the men’s games, Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits got their season under way with a solid 2-0 victory over Gisborne Boys’ High School.

“The Fruits looked good, with a couple of new players in midfield,” Scragg said.

“Former Boys’ High player Matthew Pepere looked good in his first run out for them.

“He will add some extra dynamics to the team.”

The YMP A men’s side defeated their B team 12-1.

“It was a one-sided game that gave both teams the chance to dust off the sticks for the season,” Scragg said.

“YMP’s Stu Priest would have been stoked to score his side’s goal right on fulltime. It really was a cracker.”

Secondary school hockey started on the Turf at Harry Barker Reserve last night, with wins to Gisborne Boys’ High School Black, Lytton High School and Campion.

Senior scoring details —

YMP 11 (Courtney Onekawa 3, Nancy Tarawa 2, Maia Rickard 3, Kodi Campbell 1, Mikaylah Tamati 2) Waituhi 0; GMC Green 6 (Amy England 2, Jade Stafford 3, Anahera Whaanga-Smith 1) Ngatapa 2 (Jazz Hickling, Vivienne MacPherson); Amber Dental GGHS 5 (Chloe Kapene 1, Tiari Pepere 3, Heni-Kamaia Thompson ) Paikea 2 (Joanne McLean, Lisa Gill); GMC Kowhai 2 (Emilie Skuse, Emma Seymour) GMC Gold 0.

YMP (2) 12 (Tony Carpendale 2, Josh Cousins 5, Dylan Lardelli 3, Michael Bond 2) YMP 1 (Stu Priest); LOB NZ Fruits 2 (Patrick Ferry 2) GBHS 0.