Top two set to go head to head in Poverty Bay men’s club hockey

The Poverty Bay women's club hockey match-up between Gisborne Girls' High School First XI and GMC Kowhai should bring out the best in both teams on Saturday. Taylor Carrington and Charlie Brown have eyes on the ball in a game between the two sides last year. Photo / Paul Rickard

Gisborne Boys’ High School First XI and Laidlaw YMP A go head to head in what is shaping up to be the match of the day in Poverty Bay club hockey on Saturday.

Their 12.30pm clash on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve will rekindle the rivalry between the No 1 (YMP) and No 2 teams on the table in round 1.

YMP ended the round with the maximum 12 points, while the students finished on nine.

Boys’ High gave their defending champion opponents a lot to think about in their round 1 meeting. The students led before YMP came back to win 5-3.

Another strong start by the school team could result in a different outcome on Saturday, although they will be going into the game minus several of their front-line players as the school holidays get under way.

“If the students start well and try to close it out they will certainly be in there with a good chance of winning,” Poverty Bay Hockey deputy chairman Dallas Kerr said.

“Equally, YMP A will be well aware of the challenge the students present and will lift accordingly. It will be another good contest between the two sides.”

A question mark hangs over the 2pm clash between Waituhi and Lytton Paikea Sports Club (LPSC) LOB Traktion.

The teams finished on the same points in round 1.

“It’s going to be a nice even game I reckon,” Kerr said. “Both teams have the players to win it, providing they are on their game.

“Waituhi are a young side that’s developed in the past couple of weeks, and if that development flows into the game, Traktion will need to work hard to beat them.”

The 3.30pm women’s clash between Gisborne Girls’ High School First XI and GMC Kowhai is another that could go either way.

“Both teams are evenly matched,” Kerr said. “Girls’ High have improved and will want to make their mark now we’re into the second round.

“Kowhai’s defence will be tested.”

The final game pits PGG Wrightson Ngatapa against LPSC Emerre and Hathaway Insurance Paikea.

Ngatapa are favourites, but Paikea cannot be counted out.

“It’s the women’s game of the weekend I reckon,” Kerr said. “Paikea will want to get into the match early and score to get some dominance over Ngatapa.

“They will know that Ngatapa are a very fit side and will go for the full 70 minutes.”