THC turned the tables in thriller,THC snap YMP’s winning streak

YMP's Dylan Lardelii takes on THC's Honoa Morete. Picture by Paul Rickard

THC turned the tables on YMP A on Saturday, inflicting the season’s first loss on the form team of the men’s competition.

THC deservedly won 3-2 when the teams met on the LJ Hooker Turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

The match was close, pretty much goal for goal throughout.

“YMP have been the form team all year,” senior THC player Hanoa Morete said.

“They had not lost a game until Saturday, so it was nice to get one over them.

“It was close, though, and we just managed to take one extra chance. It could have gone either way.

“I think our energy and intensity worked for us on Saturday. There were periods we dominated but YMP were always in the game.”

Morete said the team would not get ahead of themselves over the win.

“We have the major semifinals ahead of us on Saturday, and we play YMP A again.”

In the women’s matches, Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa anticipated an onslaught from GMC Green and they were not disappointed.

The Green Machine played extremely well and, despite the best efforts of the Ngatapa defence, slammed in nine unanswered goals. Shannon Williams scored a hat-trick, and Jade Stafford and Amy Angland each grabbed a brace.

GMC coach Kohere Tupara said it was a good win leading into the semis.

“I was really pleased the girls held Ngatapa to no score,” she said.

“We are where we want to be as a team heading into the playoffs.”

Nancy-Rae Tarawa and Courtney Onekawa scored a brace each in the YMP A 6-0 win against JNL Paikea.

Paikea did well to keep the score respectable.

Williams Transport Gisborne Girls’ High School beat GMC Kowhai 1-0.

Kowhai had their chances but could not take them.

YMP B defeated Te Aowera 4-1.

“We are still hopeful we can pick up a win this season,” Te Aowera coach Max Malcolm said.

“We did it last year when we won the game we needed to make the finals.

“It has been a tough season for us. Things we have been trying are starting to pay off.

“I know the girls can do it, and it’s just a matter of them knowing that, too.”

Te Aowera have a bye this weekend.

In one of the other men’s matches, Lytton Old Boys A were too strong for Gisborne Boys’ High School, and again showed the attacking flair they have developed.

Women: YMP A 6 (Nancy-Rae Tarawa 2, Courtney Onekawa 2, Morgan Tuhou, Skylah Pohatu) JNL Paikea 0.

GMC Green 9 (Shannon Williams 3, Amy Angland 2, Jade Stafford 2, Ana Haenga, Maika Akroyd) Ngapata 0.

YMP B 4 (Susan Egan 2, Kaliyah Edwards, Mel Knight) Te Aowera 1 (Lillian Hema).

Williams Transport Gisborne Girls’ High School 1 (Ngahuia Wilson) GMC Kowhai 0.

Men: THC 3 (Hoera Mohi, Hylam Tukariri, Hone Pewhairangi) YMP A 2 (Andrew Carter, Thomas Rutene).

LOB A 5 (Alex Mayhead 2, John Hockey, Shea Cooper, Jayden McKay) Gisborne Boys’ High School 0.

LOB Masters defeated YMP B by default.