Top guns fight out goal-less draw, Round 1 honours to YMP A men

Above, Ngatapa’s Lucinda Candy (green) and GMC Kowhai’s Arna Searle in women’s hockey combat on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. Left, Krissy Hohepa goes to ground as she tries to rob Lulu Parker of the ball. Ngatapa won the game 3-0 to remain third on the table in Round 1. GMC Green and YMP A drew 0-all in a top-of-the-table clash, which left GMC first on goal differential. Pictures by Paul Rickard

A hard-fought draw between the top women’s teams, heavyweight men’s side Lytton Old Boys fending off Gisborne Boys’ High by a single goal, two from two for ‘The Ladies in Pink” and a brave effort from LOB Masters were among the highlights of Week 5 of Poverty Bay club hockey.

Defending women’s champions YMP A and arch-rivals GMC Green shared the points in a 0-all draw on Friday night — a result that showed the women’s title is up for grabs.

“The women’s competition this year is an absolute open book,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“They shared the penalty corners but neither side could capitalise on those scoring opportunities.”

The result left GMC at the top of the table on superior goal difference to YMP — 23-17 — with two games of the round to go.

Week 5 action started on Thursday night when Gisborne Girls’ High School First XI fought out an enthralling encounter with YMP B — GGHS triumphing 4-3.

“The students led 3-1 into the final quarter but credit to YMP B for scoring two quick goals to equalise,” Scragg said.

“Girls’ High left it to the final few minutes to score the winner.”

Tony Halley scored a hat-trick for the B team while Hine Brooking got two for GGHS.

Paikea took maximum points from two games they played in the space of three days.

They beat Te Aowera 6-0 on Friday night and followed it up on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over Girls’ High in a catch-up game.

“Those points for Paikea will make a big difference for them as they head through the season,” Scragg said.

“The ‘Ladies in Pink’ are letting the rest of the women’s competition know they are up for it, and despite a lack of numbers they can produce really good hockey.”

International umpires Amber Church and Jo Cumming were in goal-scoring form for Paikea — Cumming getting two against Te Aowera and Church a double against Girls’ High.

“On the other hand, Girls’ High will be disappointed with that loss on Sunday.”

PGG Wrightson Ngatapa got up over GMC Kowhai 3-0.

“That scoreline is about where Ngatapa are at this season,” Scragg said. “They have some work to do.”

In men’s games, Gisborne Boys’ High School gave second-placed LOB Traktion a run for the money before going down 1-0.

“A big pat on the back for the students,” Scragg said.

“That’s their best result for a while against a Traktion team full of experience and skill.

“Boys’ High certainly had opportunities to equalise . . . we’re looking at a very confident young side.”

Jayden McKay’s goal proved the difference between the sides.

LOB Resene Masters would have gone home proud of themselves after they held defending men’s champions YMP A to 4-0 in a match-up that in the past has gone to double figures.

“The Masters play better without me,” said Scragg, who was wearing his Brisbane Broncos NRL jersey with pride in Napier.

“It was a credit to their defensive line and special credit goes to goalkeeper Buck Rogers, who was outstanding.”

Waituhi accounted for YMP B 7-0 with Tegan Brown scoring twice.

“That was a predictable result,” Scragg said.

“Points differential has seen Waituhi finish third in the first round, which will give them a boost in confidence ahead of Round 2.”

YMP A won the first round on goal difference (29-25) from LOB Traktion. Both teams had a record of four wins and a draw.

WEEK 5 RESULTS , WOMEN:

Gisborne Girls’ High School 4 (Hine Brooking 2, Pae Wilcox-Taylor, Kassidy-Star Butler)

YMP B 3 (Toni Halley 3).

YMP A 0 GMC Green 0.

Paikea 6 (Joanne McLean 2, Jo Cumming 2, Jessie Duncan 2) Te Aowera 0.

PGG Wrightson Ngatapa 3 (Annabel Hustler, Live Abernethy, Bree Munro) GMC Kowhai 0.

Rescheduled match: Paikea 3 (Amber Church 2, Taimania Clark) Gisborne Girls’ High

School  2 (Keeley Smiler, Hine Brooking).

MEN: WEEK 5 RESULTS —

LOB Traktion 1 (Jayden Mckay) Gisborne Boys’ High School 0.

YMP A 4 (Kohere Tupara 2, Heath Tupara, Matty Waikari) LOB Resene Masters 0.

Waituhi 7 (Tegan Brown 2, George Whitehead, Angus Thompson, Henry Mohi, Graeme Samonar, Mathew Pepere) YMP B 0.