THC and YMP have another crack at each other

STICKS CROSSED: Lytton Old Boys Masters’ Sam Hain (left) and YMP B player Joel Akroyd cross sticks in their 2-2 draw in men’s senior hockey on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve last weekend. YMP B play Gisborne Boys’ High School tonight, and the Masters play LOB B tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

TOP men’s teams YMP A and THC will have another crack at each other tonight to start the weekend’s senior hockey action.

The big question is whether THC can close the gap that opened up between the teams last weekend.

YMP beat the defending premier men’s champions 5-2 a week ago and that result asked some serious questions about THC’s ability to win the men’s crown again.

THC will come out of the blocks strongly at 6pm tonight, with redemption on their minds.

Last week was undoubtedly a reality check for THC and they can be expected to bounce back strongly.

The men’s competition split into a top three and bottom four at the end of Round 2.

THC, YMP A and Lytton Old Boys A are in the top section.

The second group comprises YMP B, Gisborne Boys’ High School, LOB B and LOB Masters.

At 7.30pm tonight, YMP B and Boys’ High start the second-division games. A really close tussle is on the cards.

Boys’ High won the Round 1 clash, and YMP B won the return in Round 2, so not much separates them.

Tomorrow’s programme starts at midday with LOB B playing LOB Masters.

The Masters will be buoyed by last weekend’s draw with YMP B, but their clubmates will be aware of that and out to keep the older boys in their place.

LOB B have won both their previous games against the Masters this season.

After that, the day belongs to the women.

GMC Gold and GMC Kowhai get the show on the road at 1.45pm and Kowhai look tough to beat, and should remain unbeaten among the second-division teams.

Kowhai have been playing some lovely hockey and could be expected to win by a healthy margin.

YMP B would be favourites in their game against Te Aowera at 3.30pm.

Battlers TA can be relied on to make a game of it but the second-string YMP outfit should win well.

The pace heats up at 5.15pm when YMP A take on JNL Paikea.

YMP should win well.

At 7pm, though, the action will be too close to call when Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa play Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School.

The teams drew when they met the weekend before last, and in recent weeks both have pushed YMP A and GMC Green.

It should be the game of the weekend.

Girls’ High went close to getting maximum points when they last played Ngatapa.

If they can put together a 70-minute performance tomorrow evening they could well win.