Tasty treat on offer in top-of-table tussle

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

POVERTY Bay club hockey over the weekend has plenty of mouth-watering prospects but the men’s clash between Lytton Old Boys Traktion and YMP A tomorrow is likely to be the tastiest.

Their top-of-the-table encounter takes place at 5pm on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

“Last time they met each other it ended in a 1-all draw,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Traktion go into tomorrow’s game off a hard-fought 3-2 win on Wednesday night against Waituhi, so they will be battle-hardened.

“But I think YMP A might fancy their chances tomorrow night.”

Second-placed LOB were given a fright by Waituhi on Wednesday, scoring a goal in the latter stages of the game to break a 2-all deadlock.

They are level with YMP A on the table on 22 points but YMP have a superior differential — 48-44.

PGG Wrightson Ngatapa and GMC Kowhai got the week’s action started last night in a women’s Premier 2 (bottom four) game.

The result was not available when The Herald went to print.

Tonight’s matches promise plenty of action.

Paikea face YMP A in their first Premier 1 (top-four)  women’s match up at 6pm.

“It will be a really good test for the ‘Ladies in Pink’, but YMP beat them in the first round (7-0), and should go through as favourites to repeat that result tonight,” Scragg said.

“It’s a game where YMP A will want to maked a firm statement about where they are going this season.”

GMC Green, who topped the Round 1 points, and Gisborne Girls’ High 1st XI hit the turf in a Premier 1 game at 7.30pm.

“The Green Machine will go in as the team to beat but credit to the students for making it through to the women’s top four.

“The students will keep GMC honest and will bring a really high level of energy to their play.”

GMC beat Girls’ High 7-0 in Round 1.

The women start tomorrow’s programme at 12.30pm with Te Aowera and YMP B in a Premier 2 game.

“YMP B beat TA (6-0) in the first round and should carry on with that sort of result.

“A win will lay down a good foundation for them in the Premier 2 competition.”

After that it’s an all-male afternoon, starting with Waituhi and Gisborne Boys’ High School 1st XI at 2pm.

“It was 1-all last time they played,” Scragg said. “But Waituhi showed on Wednesday night against Traktion that they are going to be a force in this game.

“Boys’ High will have to be solid in defence.”

At 3.30pm YMP B take on Resene Lytton Old Boys Masters and another tight, hard-fought match-up is in store.

“They shared the points with a tough draw last time they met,” Scragg said.

“I think we can expect the same sort of contest tomorrow.”