“The result means both sides must await the outcome of tonight's 6pm match between Waituhi and Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High School,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.
“The team on top of the bottom five on points once that game is decided, will go forward to the bottom-five final.
“The other finalists will be decided by a further game on Monday night, depending on the outcome of tonight's match.”
Scragg believes Girls' High will have the edge against Waituhi tonight.
“Last night's game was good to watch, with a lot of vocal support,” he said.
“If it was an indication of what's in store this weekend, it looks like being a great final series.”
At 7.30pm tonight, the men's semifinal between HPY Advisors Lytton Old Boys and Waituhi will be a no-holds-barred affair as they look to join YMP A in the men's grand final next weekend.
“LOB would go in as very slight favourites,” Scragg said.
“If there is one game where Waituhi have to pull all their tricks out of the hat, this is it.
“It's going to be close, and it could be decided in a shootout.”
Saturday's action starts at 2pm, when Lytton Old Boys Masters take the Hain Farming Turf against YMP B to decide who joins Gisborne Boys' High School in the men's bottom-three final next week.
“The Masters got the win against YMP B last time out,” Scragg said.
“But they will be wary of a YMP outfit with numbers on deck now.”
Paikea and YMP A will fight it out from 3.30pm for the first of the women's grand final spots up for grabs tomorrow.
“YMP's recent form says they should go into this game with an air of confidence,” Scragg said.
“On the other hand, Paikea have nothing to lose and will give it everything.
“I expect a very classy YMP team to take the win.”
The final act in this enthralling weekend begins at 5pm tomorrow when INA Contracting GMC Green and Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa play each other for the right to join YMP A or Paikea in the top-four women's grand final on Saturday next week.
“It's the game of the weekend,” Scragg said.
Two weeks ago these teams had a goalless draw.
“Ngatapa let things slip at the back end of their game against Paikea last weekend,” Scragg said.
“They will need to stay focused for the whole game to foot it with the Green Machine, who will be looking to get themselves back on song.
“GMC's loss to YMP last weekend will have led to some soul-searching, and they have shown throughout this season what a dangerous team they are.
“I wish all the teams fighting for finals spots this weekend and on Monday all the best,” Scragg said. “Huge credit to all our volunteers who will be out there umpiring and ensuring this big weekend for the game in Gisborne runs well.”
