Te Aowera hit form at right time

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

TE AOWERA, a team of battlers, last night recorded their first win of the season in Poverty Bay senior women’s hockey, and they did it in a penalty shootout to make a final.

Te Aowera defeated YMP B in a shoot-out on the LJ Hooker turf at Harry Barker Reserve to earn the right to meet Emerre and Hathaway GMC Gold in the C Grade final.

“The teams were tied at a goal apiece after normal time so they went to a shoot-out,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Te Aowera took charge of it with three fine goals to knock YMP B out of the finals race.

“Te Aowera were hammered in the first round and they lost heavily last weekend, so to come back and win a finals spot is a great result for them,” Scragg said.

“It just goes to show that at the business end of the season, these are the games that count.

“That game between TA and GMC Gold next weekend will be an excellent final,” Scragg said.

The playoffs were to continue this afternoon with three more top matches in prospect.

The first of them, set to go at 1pm, has Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa up against Williams Transport Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Then at 2.45pm, Emerre and Hathaway GMC Green and E&H GMC Kowhai were to play off for the second spot in the premier women’s final.

Gisborne Boys’ High School and YMP B were to finish the playoff round at 4.30pm.

All three matches could go either way in what promised to be an exciting afternoon of hockey.