YMP B return to hockey comp with a win

Leading by example: YMP A's James Torrie, pictured last year in Poverty Bay men's club hockey action against Waituhi's Carlos Babbington, will play pivotal roles on and off the turf as player-coach for the A-Team this season. YMP face Gisborne Boys' High tonight. Picture by Paul Rickard

Welcome back YMP B.

The B women marked their return to the Poverty Bay club hockey competition with an entertaining 4-3 win in the opening game of the 2022 season on the Hain Farming turf at Harry Barker Reserve last night.

“It was a good game to start the season,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

The teams traded goals in a 1-all first half before YMP scored twice to take a 3-1 lead. Paikea closed it to 3-2 but YMP regained what would be a decisive two-goal cushion. The Pinkies scored late in the piece.

Roschelle Koia hit the back of the goal twice for YMP and there were also goals from Sam Durston and Leah Tupara.

Bronwyn O'Reilly, Joe McLean and Holly Miller scored for Paikea.

Scragg made special mention of YMP B goalkeeper Rachel Newlands, who he said had not played competitive hockey since “the grass days”.

The 6.30pm clash “sticked” off the 2022 club season,which continues tonight and tomorrow.

In the women's competition, Ngatapa face the daunting first-up prospect of premier champions YMP A at 6pm.

“It's going to be a big test for Ngatapa,” Scragg told The Herald. “One of the hardest games they will have this season. No doubt YMP will front with a highly competitive side like they always have.”

At the player-coaching helm will be seasoned warriors Courtney Onekawa and Nancy-Rae Tarawa — loyal servants who continue to play prominent roles.

YMP A blew away GMC Green 6-1 in the 2021 final. If they hit the ground running, it could be a long Friday the 13th for Ngatapa.

GMC Green, with INA Contracting as their naming sponsor, start their campaign against Te Aowera at 12.30pm tomorrow.

“Green, being a premier side, should dominate but it's fantastic Te A keep fronting each year,” said Scragg, who also paid tribute to Te Aowera's coach Max Malcolm.

“He's been at the helm for a good number of years.”

That game will be followed by Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High against Waituhi at 2pm.

“The students would be favourites for that,” said Scragg, although he pointed out that the strength of the competition's high school first 11 sides depended on the senior players they lost from the year before and the standard of those coming through the ranks.

“It's early in the season, so we will see who fronts.”

That being said, Gisborne Boys' High's new coach Wade Manson potentially faces a baptism by fire in YMP A tonight at 7.30pm.

“It's going to be a really good test for them. Boys' High have lost about five senior players (from 2021) but there is a bit of depth coming through.”

Last year's YMP A women's championship-winning coach James Torrie is player-coach for the men's A side this year and can call on plenty of experience to help him such as hockey ever-presents, the Tupara whānau.

“The goal for YMP will be to regain the title they lost to LOB A last year (losing the final in a shootout),” Scragg said.

Scragg will make his long-awaited return to the turf tomorrow for LOB Masters against traditional rivals YMP B at 3.30pm.

“This might be the men's game of the round,” he said. “They are normally two even sides who have battled it out over the years. It's my first appearance after three years (due to an Achilles injury), so it's going be great to be finally back out there.”

Defending champions LOB HPY Advisers and Waituhi bring the round to an end tomorrow at 5pm.

LOB are being led this year by Patrick Ferry who will be delighted the team have retained the services of Cole Manson in goal. Manson was among the heroes in last years final.

“Henry Mohi will steer the Waituhi ship,” Scragg said, “but they will be without the services of goal-scoring guru Tamany Tuhou, who has gone to YMP.”

Meanwhile, Scragg said it was great to see Gisborne's Amber Church officiating at the women's transtasman test series in Auckland and adding to her already impressive resumé.