Titles on the line in finals day

BIG EFFORT: GMC Green's Megan Allen reaches in to try to disrupt the play of Toni Halley (right) in women's club hockey. YMP and GMC Green meet in the women's top-four final on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

Championship titles go on the line this weekend in hockey and YMP pose a massive challenge tomorrow as GMC Green seek to go back to back in the women's championship.

Their top-four final at 3pm on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve looks set to be the hardest-fought match of finals weekend, given they drew last time out.

“It's too close to call,” hockey commentator Tony Scrag said.

“It's the final everyone wanted and it will be a fitting finale to this Covid-affected season.

“YMP might go in with a slight air of confidence.

“They have been the best attacking and defending side in the women's competition this season. Consistency is certainly on their side.

“But the Green Machine will go in pretty confident, too.

“They have not won back-to-back titles for years. Tomorrow is a good chance for them to do that, and they know it.”

Scragg hopes to see a final that gets decided by a single goal.

The finals day programme begins at 11am when Ngatapa meet GMC Kowhai to decide the bottom-four women's championship title.

“That should be a good tussle.

“I know Ngatapa are looking forward to the challenge.

“They have a very good defensive unit and they'll want use their attack to good advantage at the other end.

“However, Kowhai cannot be discounted.

“They have some ex-premier players in their line-up, and they can cause havoc if left unmarked.”

The men take the turf at 1pm to decide who hoists the Covid Cup, with the two YMP teams contesting the final.

“You would have to back YMP (2),” Scragg said.

“They're the form team in the men's grade, they've dropped only one game all season, and I reckon they're favourites.”

The final weekend of the hockey season begins tonight with the match to decide third and fourth in the women's competition. It could go either way.

Paikea take on Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School at 6pm tonight.

“That should be a ripping game and I think it will be close,” Scragg said.

“Paikea have been the most improved side in the women's competition, and will be up against a team that nearly caused the biggest upset of the season last week.

“Girls' High were only moments away from a place in the final in their penalty shoot-out game against GMC Green.”

Due to the Covid Level 2 restrictions, crowd size will be limited to 100 tonight and tomorrow.

“We ask all hockey fans to respect the requirements, and we have asked teams to vacate the playing field and the turf surrounds between matches,” Scragg said.

“I am sure there will be a lot of people watching the games from the car park.

“It will be a great day. For a lot of us, it's going to be a second Christmas Day in terms of anticipation and fun.”